HL Deb 30 July 1999 vol 604 c236WA
Lord Blackwell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are monitoring the sales activities of competitive gas suppliers in attracting new customers; and whether they are satisfied with these sales practices. [HL3882]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government believe that misleading and over-aggressive selling practices are unacceptable, and have helped to introduce changes to curb such activities in the domestic gas market, including a licence condition covering marketing, and strengthened doorstep selling regulations. Also, members of the Association of Energy Suppliers have established a marketing code of practice.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets has been monitoring the sales activities of suppliers. The changes which have been introduced are having a positive effect, but some complaints about misleading doorstep selling are still being made. The Government look to the Regulator to take tough action where evidence of abuses exists. Ofgem is currently looking closely at the marketing activities of some suppliers, and is working with the industry to ensure that abuses are stamped out.