HC Deb 28 June 1999 vol 334 cc38-9W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the percentage increase in the consumption of oil, gas and electricity by(a) industry and (b) the general public since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [88000]

Mr. Battle

The percentage changes in, and levels of, final consumption of fuels between 1990 and 1998 are as follows:

based on the reports of 19 consultants. These consultants are based in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Doncaster, Nottingham, Cardiff, Dundee, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Paisley, Washington Tyne and Wear and Edinburgh.

The Department has always made clear to the plaintiff solicitors that making offers, based on acceptable consultant's reports, was an interim measure to allow payments to be made until the tendering process for the delivery of the agreed Medical Assessment Process (MAP) was completed. We hope to award the contract for the delivery of the medical assessments shortly and are hopeful that significant offers of full and final payments will start flowing in the late summer.