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Bank of Credit and Commerce International

Mr. Vaz : To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to meet a delegation of creditors and ex-employees to discuss BCCI.

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Column 974

Mr. Neil Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 10 November 1992, Official Report, column 734.

Office of Gas Supply

Mr. Patrick Thompson : To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what changes are proposed in the 1992-93 cash limit and running costs limit for the Office of Gas Supply.

Mr. Heseltine : Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate the cash limit on the office of Gas Supply vote (class V vote 8) will be increased by £262,000 to £3,203,000. The increase provides for the estimated additional costs incurred by the Office in overseeing the development and implementation of a new gas transportation and storage regime, in the referral of British Gas to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and in the urgent relocation of the Office of Gas Supply to larger premises. In addition receipts under section 8 of the Gas Act 1986 have been reclassified from appropriations in aid to extra receipts payable to the Consolidated Fund. As a consequence of this the running costs limit has increased by £88,000 to £2,783,000. These increases are within the forecast outturn for the planning total included in the Chancellor's autumn statement.

EC Coal Subsidy

Ms. Quin : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if, in his capacity as President of the EC Industry Council, he intends to initiate a Council discussion on differing levels of coal subsidy in the EC.

Mr. Eggar [holding answer 3 November 1992] : I expect there to be a discussion at the next meeting of the Energy Council on 30 of this month of the coal industry throughout the Community.

Home Equity Share Losses

Mr. Colvin : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken by his Department to speed up the payment of compensation by insurance companies in respect of home equity share losses.

Mr. Nelson : I have been asked to reply. The regulation of investment business carried on by life insurance companies is a matter for the Securities and Investments Board and the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation. They and the other bodies helping to obtain appropriate redress for clients of unsuitable home income schemes are aware of the need to deal with cases as quickly as they can.

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