§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has evaluated on the causes and extent of fuel poverty; and if she will make a statement. [51314]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 27 July 1998]: The Green Paper A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation highlighted a particular concern that disadvantaged consumers may be benefiting least from emerging competition in gas and electricity supply. In considering how these problems might best be resolved, the review of utilities regulation has considered available papers and research on these issues. Officials from my Department have also been involved in an interdepartmental working group under the leadership of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which has considered how fuel poverty might be more closely defined and alleviated, and have contributed to the Gas Consumers' Council's Low Income Consumer and Competition working group.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 402, when he expects to publish his 156W response to the action plan for the protection of disadvantaged consumers produced by the energy regulators and energy companies in consultation with consumer organisations. [53170]
§ Mr. BattleThe then President of the Board of Trade published on 27 July 'A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation:The Response to Consultation'. This details the Government's response to the consultation on the Green Paper on utility regulation, published in March, including the action plan for the protection of disadvantaged consumers. Copies have been placed in the Library of both Houses.