§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she has reviewed the impact of the Competition Act 1998 on the provision of low-cost electricity for persons over 60; and if she will make a statement; [19654]
(2) for what reason the stay warm scheme which provides electricity at a lower price is being offered in every area of the nation apart from the east of England; and if he will make a statement. [19653]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 3 December 2001]: TXU Energi has not made its Stay Warm tariff available to its "home" customers in the north-west and east Anglia, although I understand that it is considering whether to do so. The standard licence conditions for electricity introduced on 1 October 2001 removed remaining restrictions on incumbent suppliers such as TXU operating in their "home" areas. Like other suppliers, TXU remains subject to the operation of competition law, including the Competition Act 1998, which protects competitors and consumers from companies' abuse of a dominant position. It is for TXU, like companies in other markets, to judge whether offers to particular groups of consumers could be deemed anti-competitive. The Competition Act 1998 provides the opportunity for companies to seek guidance or a direction on schemes from the Office of Fair Trading.