§ Mr. Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, in each of the last five years how much the National Gas Consumers' Council has cost; and what were the costs of each of the regional councils.
§ Mr. John FraserUntil 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 cost of running them could not be separately distinguished from the Corporation's general administrative expenses. Expenditure on the councils during the 119W period from 1st August 1975 to 31st March 1976 was borne on my Department's Vote, and was at the estimated annual rate set out in column 1 below. Only the provisional figures in column 2 are, as yet, available for the financial year 1976–77.
1 2 Gas Consumers' Council Estimated1975–76 Provisional 1976–77 £ £ National … 129,000 140,800 Scottish … 33,900 48,900 Northern … 49,600 67,000 North-West … 37,500 54,700 North-East … 24,000 34,700 West Midlands … 30,200 43,700 East Midlands … 30,300 35,900 Wales … 28,200 40,600 Eastern … 40,100 44,500 North-Thames … 27,200 35,400 South-West … 26,800 36,100 Southern … 41,000 51,900 South-East … 54,000 68,100