Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make it his policy that all suppliers of liquid petroleum gas be regulated by the energy supply ombudsman.
Malcolm Wicks: The UK liquefied petroleum gas market (LPG) is not regulated by an energy supply ombudsman.
The Competition Commission (CC) recently carried out an investigation into the issues that could prevent, restrict, or distort competition for the supply of domestic bulk liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The conclusions were published in June 2006. The CC is now devising a package of remedies, on which it has consulted, and is looking to impose them through two orders on the industry. More information is available on the CC's website:
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/current/gas/index.htm.
The OFT has been closely involved in this work as it has progressed. The CC plans to publish the orders in May and July 2008. The OFT will monitor the orders and follow up any alleged breaches of it with the suppliers concerned.
Mark Oaten