§ 15. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the Gas Consumers Council document entitled "An analysis of Gas Disconnections."
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI welcome the Gas Consumers' Council's report on disconnections. The council has found no evidence of a harder attitude on disconnections by British Gas since privatisation, but its report does recommend a number of important improvements to British Gas procedures.
§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department takes to monitor the operation of the voluntary code of practice on gas disconnections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe code of practice on gas disconnections is not voluntary; it is required under condition 12 of British Gas authorisation. Under the condition, it is the responsibility of the Gas Consumers' Council and the Director General of Gas Supply to monitor the operation of the code.