§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals are being considered for customer rights following the privatisation of electricity.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Electricity Bill currently before Parliament will create many new customer rights, including an improved right to an electricity supply, protection for consumers who get their electricity from a landlord, protection for the elderly and disabled, help for those having difficulty paying bills and a new system of guaranteed standards of performance with automatic compensation for failures to meet these standards. The director general of electricity supply will have a statutory duty to protect the interests of the consumer, and the new regional consumers' committees will provide him with lay advice on consumer issues.