Director General of Gas Supply

HC Deb 24 June 1986 vol 100 cc91-2W

Dr. Michael Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to appoint a Director General of Gas Supply.

Mr. Peter Walker

Subject to Parliament approving the Gas Bill, I intend to appoint Mr. James McKinnon to be Director General of Gas Supply. His appointment will be full-time and run for a period of three years from the day on which the Office of Gas Supply is set up under the new legislation.

Mr. McKinnon is an accountant with considerable experience in commerce and until recently was finance director of the Imperial Group. His background is ideally suited to assessing the financial information needed to carry out his duties in safeguarding the interests of consumers.

The Gas Bill contains powers for the Director to monitor and enforce the authorisation to be given to British Gas as a public gas supplier. The director, together with the Gas Consumers' Council will provide greatly improved protection for consumers, compared with present arrangements.