§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the companies, organisations and public bodies he has consulted over the removal of geographic exclusivity of licensed areas for gas transporters. [122324]
§ Mrs. LiddellIn October 1998. my Department published a consultation paper on the future of gas and electricity regulation. Among other things, this paper invited views on the abolition of geographic exclusivity. In October 1999, the Government's proposals for legislation in this area were published. That document set out the Government's decision to abolish geographic exclusivity. It also contained a list of those who had responded to the consultation paper, leaving aside only those who had requested confidentiality. Copies of that document were placed in the Libraries of both Houses.