Utilities Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 5:00 pm on 13 June 2000.

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Photo of Lord Jenkin of Roding Lord Jenkin of Roding Conservative 5:00, 13 June 2000

I should like to pick up on one point that was touched on by my noble friend Lady Wilcox. As I understand it, the Government have already made clear in relation to the two industries whose regulation was withdrawn from this Bill at an earlier stage in another place--namely, water and telecommunications--that it remains their intention that the provisions so far as concerns the consumer councils shall follow broadly the same pattern so far as is possible, having regard to the different natures of the four industries. To my mind, it is therefore important that we get these provisions right in this Bill.

Although it may be perfectly possible in theory to move a whole lot of amendments about the consumer provisions in the legislation for telecommunications and water--it may be one Bill; it may be two--we anticipate the possible argument that "the House accepted this in the Utilities Bill and therefore we are not going to listen to any further arguments".

The noble Lord, Lord McIntosh, always listens to the arguments and then mostly says "No".