Gas Consumer Councils (Hansard, 8 April 1976)

§ Mr. Michael Morris
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the cost of running the 297W National Gas Consumer Council in the latest year.

Mr. Alan Williams
Until the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975 came into force on 1st August 1975 the National Gas Consumers' Council was financed by the British Gas Corporation, and the cost of running it could not be separately distinguished from the Corporation's general administrative expenses Expenditure on the Council during the period from 1st August 1975 to 31st March 1976 was borne on my Department's Vote, and was at an annual rate estimated at £129,000.

§ Mr. Michael Morris
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the cost of each of the regional gas consumer councils; and how many complaints were dealt with by each in the latest year.

Mr. Alan Williams
The table below summarises the latest available information:

Consumers' Council Number of complaints^*1974–75 Estimated expenditure†1975–76

£

Scottish Gas 2,587 33,900

Northern Gas 7,475 49,600

North West Gas 5,979 37,500

North East Gas 2,017 24,000

West Midlands Gas 3,039 30,200

East Midlands Gas 836 30,300

Wales Gas 1,842 28,200

Eastern Gas 4,365 40,100

North Thames Gas 4,704 27,200

South West Gas 1,291 26,800

Southern Gas 1,413 41,000

South East Gas 7,259 54,000

^* These figures in many cases understate the total numbers of complaints and enquiries dealt with as Councils use widely varying criteria in counting complaints.

† Until the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975 came into force on 1st August 1975 the Gas Consumers' Councils were financed by the British Gas Corporation, and the costs involved could not be separately distinguished from the Corporation's general administrative expenses. Expenditure on the Councils during the period from 1st August 1975 to 31st March 1976 was borne on the Vote of the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection; the figures given are the estimated expenditure for that period converted to an annual rate.

Consumers' Council	Number of complaints^*1974–75	Estimated expenditure†1975–76
		£
Scottish Gas	2,587	33,900
Northern Gas	7,475	49,600
North West Gas	5,979	37,500
North East Gas	2,017	24,000
West Midlands Gas	3,039	30,200
East Midlands Gas	836	30,300
Wales Gas	1,842	28,200
Eastern Gas	4,365	40,100
North Thames Gas	4,704	27,200
South West Gas	1,291	26,800
Southern Gas	1,413	41,000
South East Gas	7,259	54,000
^* These figures in many cases understate the total numbers of complaints and enquiries dealt with as Councils use widely varying criteria in counting complaints.
† Until the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975 came into force on 1st August 1975 the Gas Consumers' Councils were financed by the British Gas Corporation, and the costs involved could not be separately distinguished from the Corporation's general administrative expenses. Expenditure on the Councils during the period from 1st August 1975 to 31st March 1976 was borne on the Vote of the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection; the figures given are the estimated expenditure for that period converted to an annual rate.