§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any responsibility for the standard of gas services provided to domestic customers.
§ Lord Fraser of CarmyllieThe Gas Act 1995 provided the regulatory framework for the introduction of competition in the domestic supply of gas. Competition allows consumers to choose the mix of price and service that best meet their requirements. However, the Secretary of State was responsible for determining the standard conditions of the licences of gas suppliers and public gas transporters, which provide certain standards; responsibility for enforcing the licences lies with the DGGS.
In addition, British Gas Trading and British Gas Transco—who are the incumbent monopolists—operate in accordance with a package of service standards agreed with OFGAS.