Gas Industry (Hansard, 15 June 1994)

Mr. Robert Ainsworth
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the process employed by him in the recruitment of the Director General of Ofgas; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Heseltine
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 14 June 1994,Official Report, column 416.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff of Ofgas met officials of his Department to prepare the consultation document "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

§ Mr. Eggar
My officials met most of the senior staff of Ofgas on several occasions in the course of preparing the consultation document, "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much time staff of the Office of Gas Supply spent meeting officials of his Department to prepare the consultation document "Competition and Choice in the Gas Market".

§ Mr. Eggar
This information is not available. There were many different meetings between staff at different levels.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average number of staff employed by the Office of Gas Supply for each six-month period since its establishment.

§ Mr. Eggar
Information on staffing levels is given in the annual reports made by the Director General of Gas Supply to the Secretary of State. These reports are laid before Parliament as required by section 39(3) of the Gas Act 1986.