§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the representations received, respectively, for and against privatisation of British Gas from organisations and local authorities indicating the size of the organisations represented.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI have received over 260 representations on behalf of organisations and local authorities concerning the privatisation of British Gas. Around 200 of these have been from organisations such as the national and regional gas consumers' councils and citizens advice bureaux, which have adopted a constructive approach to our proposals. Fewer than 70 representations have been received expressing opposition to the privatisation. In the main these have been from Labour-controlled local authorities.