§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Power what time elapsed between the notification by the South Eastern Electricity Board to the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council of its recent proposals to increase electricity tariffs by about 1s. 5d. and the signification by the Council of its approval; and what steps the Council took to assess the effect of the proposed increases on the 1,100,000 domestic consumers in the area.
§ Mr. PeytonThese are questions of the day-to-day administration of the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council. I am asking the Chairman of the Council to write to my hon. Friend.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Power what are the qualifications of each of the members of the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council; on what criteria he based his appointments of the 13 members whose names were submitted by local authorities; what bodies he consulted before appointing the 13 other members; and if he will give an assurance that their appointments will not be renewed in view of their failure to protect the public interest in respect of the recent increases in electricity tariffs in their area.
§ Mr. PeytonEach member of the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council has the qualifications laid down in Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 1947, as amended. The appointments have been made in accordance with that Section. A list of the bodies which I consulted before appointing members other than those nominated on behalf of local authorities is given below. The last part of the Question does not arise, because I do not consider that the Council has failed in its duties.
List of bodies consulted before making appointments under Section 7 (2) (6) of the Electricity Act, 1947, as amended, to the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council
- Federation of British Industries.
- National Association of British Manufacturers.
- Association of British Chambers of Commerce.
- Trades Unions Congress.
5 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
- Institution of Electrical Engineers.
- Electrical Association for Women.
- Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Union Limited.
- National Council of Women of Great Britain.
- National Federation of Women's Institutes.
- National Joint Committee of Working Women's Organisations.
- Women's Voluntary Services.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Power what allowances in respect of loss of remuneration, travel expenses and out-of-pocket expenses, respectively, he has authorised for members of the South Eastern Electricity Consultative Council.
§ Mr. PeytonThe allowances for loss of remuneration are payable to members —other than the Chairman—in accordance with the conditions and at the rates prescribed by the Treasury for unpaid members of Departmental Committees.
Travelling and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed by the Electricity Council at the same rates as apply in the industry.