§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in accordance with section 8(5) of the Electricity Act 1957, he will seek to obtain from the Electricity Council the costs in salaries and allowances of its 20 members and six advisers, plus a solicitor and secretary; whether he will direct the council in future to have these details published in its accounts; if he will obtain information as to the number of meetings of the council in 1979–80 and the same period 1978–79; and what action he has taken or intends taking to save the expenditure on this council in accordance with the Government's policy of reducing public expenditure.
§ Mr. Norman LamontInformation on the remuneration of members of the council and of some of its senior employees, the expenses of members and468W former members, and other related matters, is published annually in the council's statement of accounts, of which the 1979–80 statement was laid before the House on 31 July. The number of meetings of the council, and the control of its expenditures are matters for its own day-to-day management, and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.