§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many jobs he envisages would be lost in the event of British Gas being divested of its entire retailing activity.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[pursuant to his reply, 1 June 1981]: The Government are currently considering the British Gas Corporation's role in the retail of domestic gas appliances, following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of domestic gas appliances. No decisions have yet been taken. The numbers employed in the corporation's retailing activities are a matter for British Gas, and I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will ensure that the safety and standards of servicing and installation work on gas appliances will be maintained in the event of British Gas having no role in such work if it lost its retailing activity.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[pursuant to his reply, 1 June 1981]: The Gas Safety Regulations 1972 lay down safety standards which must be complied with by all installers of gas appliances.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the involvement of British Gas in retailing activity; and if he will state what its future role should be.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[pursuant to his reply, 1 June 1981]: The Government are considering the British Gas 317W Corporation's role in the retail of domestic gas appliances in the context of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of domestic gas appliances. No decisions have yet been taken. We have no plans to restrict any of the BGC's other retailing activities.