§ Mr. CoeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for the introduction of the new licensing framework for the gas industry. [1135]
§ Mr. LangThe Director General of Gas Supply is setting in motion the necessary arrangements to introduce new licences from the appointed day. This involves urgent expenditure on consultancy, staff and accommodation to meet the requirements of the new gas legislation.
Parliamentary approval to expenditure on this new service has been sought in the winter supplementary estimate for the Office of Gas Supply vote, class IV, vote 10. Urgent expenditure, in advance of that approval and 12W Royal Assent to the Gas Bill, estimated at £875,000 has been met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.