§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps Ofgem is taking to ensure that fuel companies offer fuel efficiency advice in line with their Social Action Plan at the point when salesmen contact customers with a view to transferring. [67312]
§ Mr. WilsonCurrent supply licence conditions require suppliers to prepare, and seek Ofgem approval of, a code of practice setting out how they will make energy 819W efficiency advice available to customers. It is not a formal licensing requirement to do this in discussions over transfer from one supplier to another.
Ofgem has recently published its "Report on the quality of energy efficiency advice provided by gas and electricity suppliers", which concluded that all the companies could do more to help customers. Ofgem will be discussing the report with suppliers and considering the need for further action to ensure that companies meet their licence obligations in this area.
As regards marketing by gas and electricity suppliers, Ofgem has recently consulted on proposals to make the regulation of this activity more effective. Ofgem is currently considering the next steps, including areas of possible research.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many times consumers have been compensated by fuel companies, following erroneous transfers, in line with licence condition 48; and if she will make a statement; [67314]
(2) what steps Ofgem has taken to ensure that fuel companies are training their marketing staff to ensure that they are not misleading customers, in line with licence condition 48. [67313]
§ Mr. WilsonThese are matters for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). I have, therefore, written to the chairman and chief executive of Ofgem, setting out the questions raised and asking him to reply direct to the hon. Member.