§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce his decision regarding the merger of gas and electricity showrooms.
§ Mr. BennI have decided that it would be helpful to have the advice of the representatives of consumers of gas and electricity. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection wrote on 29th July to the chairmen of the electricity consultative620W councils in England and Wales and the National Gas Consumers' Council inviting them to consider, in consultation with their regional and area committees, whether and in what respects the needs of consumers might be better served by having joint showrooms to deal with both industries in the same premises or by any other sharing of facilities, having regard to the whole range of services normally provided through showrooms. A similar approach has been made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to the chairmen of the Scottish electricity consultative councils. The gas and electricity industries have already been asked for their views and for their assessment of the effect of any change on their services and trading role. I have also written to the TUC to seek its advice as to how the views of the unions concerned can best be represented, as they must be because of the employment implications.