§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the Home Heating Group of the Heating and Ventilating Contractor's Association in connection with the use of direct labour by the British Gas Corporation; and what response he has given.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamI have received a letter from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association about this matter which I have referred to the Chairman of British Gas for answer.
§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a general direction to the British Gas Corporation to stop using direct labour for the installation of home central hearting in competition with its own bonded heating installers.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamNo. The installation of central heating systems by the Corporation's own labour is a longstanding practice, and, I am informed, currently accounts, on average, for about 11 per cent. of the systems it sells, and just over 3 per cent. of the total gas central heating market.
§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a general direction to ensure that the overheads are fully charged in the accounts where direct labour is used for home central heating installation by the British Gas Corporation.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamNo. This is a matter for the Corporation, but I am assured that an appropriate allocation of overheads is included in the charges made by the Corporation for installing central heating systems with its own labour.