§ Liz BlackmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account Ofgen took of the minimum staffing levels required in respect of safety when setting its revised price controls for the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement. [l14132]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Safety is of paramount importance in the electricity distribution industry and an issue which transcends price controls. Companies have statutory obligations, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as well as the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, which is the responsibility of the Engineering Inspectorate in my Department. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, in proposing price controls, takes account of these obligations, and companies, in accepting the price controls, accept their obligations to operate safe networks with the revenues provided.