HC Deb 20 November 1978 vol 958 cc440-1W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the cost to public funds of the Domestic Coal Consumers Council; who are its members; what remuneration they are paid; and what steps are taken to draw the attention of the public to its existence.

Mr. Maclennan

The cost to public funds of the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council for the year 1977–78 was £35,000 The members of the committee are:

  • Mr. D. Tench, (Chairman).
  • Mrs. J. Upward.
  • Mr. C. Needham.
  • Mrs. M. Brown.
  • Mr. K. W. Nattrass.
  • Mr. D. Holdsworth.
  • Mr. W. Devlin.
  • Mr. R. G. Greening.
  • Mr. R. Parry.
  • Mrs. M. A. Bell.
  • Mrs. J. Saunders.
  • Mr. T. Nawaz.
  • Mr. M. Ward.
  • Mr. P. H. Clarke.
  • Mr. M. Winslow.
  • Mrs. Y. Neville.
  • Mr. P. Brewis.
  • Mr. E. Hayhurst.
  • Mrs. J. Knott.
  • Mrs. M. Ewan.
  • Mrs. F. J. Clark.
  • Mr. E. Lee, OBE.
  • Mrs. D. Saunderson.
  • Mrs. D. M. Sergeant.

No remuneration is paid to members of the committee, but travelling and subsistence costs are reimbursed. The Domestic Coal Consumers' Council does not deal directly with complaints but ensures that the means exists for dealing with them. The point of contact for a consumer who is not satisfied with the response of a coal merchant is the appropriate regional secretary of the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme. The DCCC does, however, comment upon policy issues affecting domestic coal consumers through the press and radio.