HL Deb 02 December 1982 vol 436 cc1310-1

3.18 p.m.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are now in a position to announce the date on which they intend to publish proposals dealing with the reform of the Consumer Councils of the nationalised industries taking into account comments invited from organisations and individuals; and if not how much longer publication will be delayed; and whether such publication will be accompanied by a Statement to Parliament.

Lord Cockfield

My Lords, we hope to make an announcement and to publish detailed proposals before the Christmas Recess.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, the Minister has not answered the last part of my Question, but perhaps I may return to that in a second. May I ask him first whether he does not think that I have been very patient in waiting since 22nd July to ask this Question? Does he recall that on that date he gave me exactly the same answer—at least that he hoped to publish the proposals as soon as possible after the Recess? Can he say whether there will be a Statement in Parliament when these proposals are actually made public?

Lord Cockfield

My Lords, I pay tribute to the great patience of the noble Baroness in this matter. The reply that I gave in July and the reply that I now give are entirely consistent with one another. In July I said that the proposals would be published after the Recess, and they are now being published before the next Recess. So far as the Statement is concerned, that is a matter to be settled through the usual channels.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, while giving full credit to the Minister for consistency, as I am sure we shall, may I ask him this: as it seems doubtful that we are to get a Statement in Parliament, can he use his influence through the usual channels to ensure that there is a debate on these matters, which are of great concern both to the nationalised industries and to consumers everywhere?

Lord Cockfield

My Lords, I think the right thing would be to await the publication of the Government's document and then to decide what we would like to do in the light of that. But the question either of Statements or of debates in your Lordships' House is one for the usual channels and it is not a matter, I fear, on which I can express any opinion.