Regulators (Hansard, 11 February 1993)

§ Mr. French
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to review the powers and accountability of(a) Ofgas, (b) Oftel and (c) Offer;
(2) what representations he has received concerning the powers and accountability of Offer; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received concerning the powers and accountability of Oftel; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what representations he has received concerning the powers and accountability of Ofgas; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
My Department receives representations from time to time concerning Offer, Ofgas and Oftel.
The coal review has received a number of items of evidence which have a bearing on the working of Offer and Ofgas, and will take into account all the recommendations made regarding these bodies in the Trade and Industry Select Committee report.
With regard to Oftel, some argue that its powers should be reduced, and some that they are inadequate. I believe that Oftel's powers are broadly right and there are no current plans to amend them.
The regulators are accountable for the discharge of their statutory duties. Each presents an annual report to Parliament. Select Committees may—and do—call the regulators to give evidence. If a regulator's proposal for a licence modification is not agreed by the licensee, the issue may be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for its view on the public interest. Ultimately, regulators' decisions may be subject to judicial review.

§ Mr. French
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase the transparency of(a) Ofgas, (b) Oftel and (c) Offer.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
With Government encouragement, the regulators already take great care to consult widely before reaching decisions on any issue, and to publicise their decisions and the reasoning behind them.

§ Mr. French
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulators of the privatised utilities.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
The Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 provided additional powers where 719W necessary to enable regulators to set and monitor standards of service. The regulators have used their powers effectively to promote competition, to secure fair prices, and to promote better service standards for customers.