Utilities Bill

Utilities Bill - continued	House of Commons
PART I, GAS AND ELECTRICITY - continued
Electricity - continued

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CHAPTER III

FUNCTIONS OF THE GAS AND ELECTRICITY CONSUMER COUNCIL

Acquisition and review of information.

16. - (1) The Council has the function of obtaining and keeping under review-

(a) information about consumer matters, including matters affecting consumers in different areas of Great Britain; and

(b) information about the views of consumers on such matters, including the views of consumers in different areas.

(2) As part of the arrangements it makes for carrying out that function, the Council-

(a) shall establish one or more committees of the Council for, or for areas within, Wales and Scotland; and

(b) may establish one or more committees of the Council for, or for areas within, England.

(3) The purposes of a committee established under subsection (2) (in this Act referred to as a "regional committee") shall be-

(a) the provision of advice and information to the Council on consumer matters affecting the area for which the committee is established; and

(b) such other purposes as the Council may determine.

(4) The Council shall maintain in each of England, Wales and Scotland at least one office at which consumers may apply for information.

(5) Where the Authority is required by any provision of this Act or any other enactment to give or publish a notice specifying a period within which representations may be made with respect to any matter mentioned in the notice, the Authority shall send a copy of the notice to the Council.

This subsection does not apply if the enactment makes provision as to the sending of copies to the Council.

(6) In this Chapter "consumer matters" means matters connected with the interests of consumers-

(a) in relation to gas conveyed through pipes; or

(b) in relation to the supply of electricity.

(7) Paragraphs 10 to 14 of Schedule 2 have effect in relation to regional committees.

Provision of advice and information to public authorities and other persons.

17. - (1) The Council has the function of-

(a) making proposals, or providing advice and information, about consumer matters (including matters affecting consumers in different areas), and

(b) representing the views of consumers on such matters (including the views of consumers in different areas),

to public authorities, persons authorised by a licence or exemption under the 1986 Act or the 1989 Act and other persons whose activities may affect the interests of consumers.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be disclosed in the exercise of the Council's function under this section unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (3) applies to the information.

(3) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be disclosed if-

(a) the individual or body has consented to the disclosure;

(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or

(c) it is not information the disclosure of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of the individual or body.

(4) Before deciding to disclose any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (3)(c), the Council shall-

(a) consult that person or body; and

(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (3)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its publication.

(5) Subsections (2) to (4) do not apply to a disclosure of information which is made to the Authority, the Secretary of State, the Competition Commission or any other public authority.

(6) The disclosure by the Council of information in the exercise of its function under this section does not contravene section 42(1) of the 1986 Act or section 57(1) of the 1989 Act.

(7) In this section "the interests of consumers" means the interests of consumers in relation to gas conveyed through pipes or in relation to the supply of electricity.

Provision of information to consumers.

18. - (1) The Council has the function of providing information about consumer matters, in such form as appears to the Council to be most useful to the recipients, to consumers of electricity supplied by holders of electricity supply licences and to consumers of gas supplied by holders of licences under section 7A(1) of the 1986 Act.

(2) That function may be exercised by-

(a) publishing information in any manner the Council thinks appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of those likely to be interested; or

(b) furnishing information to any consumer (whether in response to a request or otherwise).

(3) Information may only be disclosed in the exercise of that function if it is information that is available to the public from some other source.

(4) After section 33D of the 1986 Act there is inserted-

"Publication of statistical information about standards of performance.	33DA. - (1) It shall be the duty of the Council to publish, in such form and manner and with such frequency as it thinks appropriate, such statistical information as it considers appropriate in relation to-
	(a) the levels of performance achieved by gas suppliers and gas transporters in respect of-
	(i) standards of performance prescribed or determined under sections 33A, 33AA, 33B and 33BA; and
	(ii) energy efficiency targets under section 33BB; and
	(b) complaints made by consumers about any matter relating to the activities of such suppliers or transporters and the handling of such complaints.
	(2) In subsection (1)(b) "complaints" includes complaints made directly to gas suppliers and gas transporters (or anyone carrying on activities on their behalf) and complaints to the Authority or the Council."

(5) After section 42A of the 1989 Act there is inserted-

"Publication of statistical information about standards of performance.	42AA. - (1) It shall be the duty of the Council to publish, in such form and manner and with such frequency as it thinks appropriate, such statistical information as it considers appropriate relating to-
	(a) the levels of performance achieved by electricity suppliers and electricity distributors in respect of-
	(i) standards of performance prescribed or determined under sections 39, 39A, 40 and 40A; and
	(ii) energy efficency targets under section 41A; and
	(b) complaints made by consumers about any matter relating to the activities of such suppliers or distributors and the handling of such complaints.
	(2) In subsection (1)(b) "complaints" includes complaints made directly to electricity suppliers and electricity distributors (or anyone carrying on activities on their behalf) and complaints to the Authority or the Council."

(6) In consequence of this section, section 33C(4) and (5) of the 1986 Act and section 42(4) and (5) of the 1989 Act shall cease to have effect.

Power to publish advice and information about consumer matters.

19. - (1) If it appears to the Council that the publication of any advice and information about consumer matters (including information about the views of consumers on such matters) would promote the interests of consumers, the Council may publish that advice or information in such manner as it thinks fit.

(2) Information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be published under this section unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (3) applies to the information.

(3) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be published if-

(a) that individual or body has consented to the disclosure;

(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or

(c) it is not information the publication of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.

(4) Before deciding to disclose any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (3)(c), the Council shall-

(a) consult that person or body; and

(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (3)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its publication.

(5) The publication by the Council of information under this section does not contravene section 42 of the 1986 Act or section 57 of the 1989 Act.

(6) In this section "the interests of consumers" means the interests of consumers in relation to gas conveyed through pipes or in relation to the supply of electricity.

Complaints.

20. - (1) For section 31 of the 1986 Act (duty of Director to investigate certain matters) there is substituted-

"Consumer complaints.	31. - (1) This section applies to a complaint which any customer or potential customer of, or user of gas supplied by, a gas supplier ("the complainant") has against any licence holder in relation to any matter connected with the activities authorised or regulated by his licence.
	(2) If such a complaint is referred to the Council by or on behalf of the complainant and it appears to the Council that-
	(a) the complainant has an interest in the matter to which the complaint relates; and
	(b) the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious,
	it shall (subject to subsection (5)) be the duty of the Council to investigate the matter.
	(3) Where it appears to the Council that the complaint relates to a matter in respect of which any enforcement function is or may be exercisable the Council shall (unless it considers that the Authority already has notice of that matter) inform the Authority of the matter.
	(4) Where it appears to the Council that the complaint relates to a matter which constitutes a dispute of a kind which can be referred to the Authority under any provision of this Act, the Council shall inform the complainant that he may have the right to refer the dispute to the Authority.
	(5) The Council is not required to investigate any matter if it appears to the Council that-
	(a) it is unlikely that the complaint could be resolved by action taken by the licence holder;
	(b) the licence holder has not been given a reasonable opportunity to deal with the complaint;
	(c) in a case mentioned in subsection (3), the Authority has not had a reasonable opportunity to exercise any enforcement function in relation to that matter;
	(d) in a case mentioned in subsection (4), it is inappropriate to do so.
	(6) Where it appears to the Council to be appropriate to do so with a view to assisting in reaching a satisfactory resolution of a complaint referred to it under this section, the Council shall make representations on behalf of the complainant to the licence holder about anything to which the complaint relates.
	(7) After investigating a complaint the Council may make a report to the Authority; and such a report may include information about-
	(a) any representations made by the Council under subsection (6); and
	(b) the response of the licence holder to the complaint or any such representations.
	(8) The Council shall not exercise its power under section 19 of the Utilities Act 2000 to publish a report under subsection (7) or any information about the complaint from which the complainant may be identified without the consent of the complainant.
	(9) Where a representation made to the Authority about any matter (other than a representation appearing to it to be frivolous or vexatious) appears to the Authority-
	(a) to have been made by or on behalf of a person having an interest in the matter; and
	(b) to be about a matter which is or amounts to a complaint to which this section applies,
	the Authority shall refer the matter to the Council.
	(10) In this section "enforcement function" means a function under section 28 or 30A."

(2) For section 46 of the 1989 Act (duty of Director to investigate certain matters) there is substituted-

"Consumer complaints.	46. - (1) This section applies to a complaint which any customer or potential customer of, or user of electricity supplied by, an electricity supplier ("the complainant") has against any licence holder in relation to any matter connected with the activities authorised or regulated by his licence.
	(2) If such a complaint is referred to the Council by or on behalf of the complainant and it appears to the Council that-
	(a) the complainant has an interest in the matter to which the complaint relates; and
	(b) the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious,
	it shall (subject to subsection (5)) be the duty of the Council to investigate the matter.
	(3) Where it appears to the Council that the complaint relates to a matter in respect of which any enforcement function is or may be exercisable the Council shall (unless it considers that the Authority already has notice of that matter) inform the Authority of the matter.
	(4) Where it appears to the Council that the complaint relates to a matter which constitutes a dispute of a kind which can be referred to the Authority under any provision of this Act, the Council shall inform the complainant that he may have the right to refer the dispute to the Authority.
	(5) The Council is not required to investigate any matter if it appears to the Council that-
	(a) it is unlikely that the complaint could be resolved satisfactorily by action taken by the licence holder;
	(b) the licence holder has not been given a reasonable opportunity to deal with the complaint;
	(b) in a case mentioned in subsection (3), the Authority has not had a reasonable opportunity to exercise any enforcement function in relation to that matter;
	(d) in a case mentioned in subsection (4), it is inappropriate to do so.
	(6) Where it appears to the Council to be appropriate to do so with a view to assisting in reaching a satisfactory resolution of a complaint referred to it under this section, the Council shall make representations on behalf of the complainant to the licence holder about anything to which the complaint relates.
	(7) After investigating a complaint the Council may make a report to the Authority; and such a report may include information about-
	(a) any representations made by the Council under subsection (6); and
	(b) the response of the licence holder to the complaint or any such representations.
	(8) The Council shall not exercise its power under section 19 of the Utilities Act 2000 to publish a report under subsection (7) or any information about the complaint from which the complainant may be identified without the consent of the complainant.
	(9) Where a representation made to the Authority about any matter (other than a representation appearing to it to be frivolous or vexatious) appears to the Authority-
	(a) to have been made by or on behalf of a person having an interest in the matter; and
	(b) to be about a matter which is or amounts to a complaint to which this section applies,
	the Authority shall refer the matter to the Council.
	(10) In this section "enforcement function" means a function under section 25 or 27A."

(3) Sections 31 and 32A of the 1986 Act and section 45 of the 1989 Act shall cease to have effect.

Investigations by the Council.

21. - (1) For section 33 of the 1986 Act there is substituted-

"Power of Council to investigate other matters.	33. - (1) The Council may investigate any matter (not being a matter which it is its duty to investigate under this Part) which appears to it to be a matter relating to the interests of consumers in respect of gas conveyed through pipes.
	(2) Before undertaking an investigation under this section the Council shall notify the Authority and the Secretary of State.
	(3) Where the Council has investigated a matter under this section it may make a report on that matter to the Authority, the Secretary of State, the Director General of Fair Trading or any other public authority whose functions appear to the Council to be exercisable in relation to that matter.
	(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Council may-
	(a) send a report on any matter investigated under this section to any person who appears to the Council to have an interest in that matter; and
	(b) publish any such report in such manner as the Council thinks appropriate.
	(5) Information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be included in any report which is to be sent to any other person, or published, under subsection (4) unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (6) applies to the information.
	(6) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be included in such a report if-
	(a) that individual or body has consented to the disclosure;
	(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or
	(c) it is not information the publication of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.
	(7) Before deciding to include in such a report any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (6)(c), the Council shall-
	(a) consult that person or body; and
	(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (6)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its inclusion in the report.
	(8) The disclosure or publication by the Council of a report in accordance with this section does not contravene section 42."

(2) After section 46 of the 1989 Act there is inserted-

"Power of Council to investigate other matters.	46A. - (1) The Council may investigate any matter (not being a matter which it is its duty to investigate under this Part) which appears to it to be a matter relating to the interests of consumers in respect of the supply of electricity.
	(2) Before undertaking an investigation under this section the Council shall notify the Authority and the Secretary of State.
	(3) Where the Council has investigated a matter under this section it may make a report on that matter to the Authority, the Secretary of State, the Director General of Fair Trading or any other public authority whose functions appear to the Council to be exercisable in relation to that matter.
	(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Council may-
	(a) send a report on any matter investigated under this section to any person who appears to the Council to have an interest in that matter; and
	(b) publish any such report in such manner as the Council thinks appropriate.
	(5) Information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be included in any report which is to be sent to any other person, or published, under subsection (4) unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (6) applies to the information.
	(6) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be included in such a report if-
	(a) that individual or body has consented to the disclosure;
	(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or
	(c) it is not information the publication of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.
	(7) Before deciding to include in such a report any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (6)(c), the Council shall-
	(a) consult that person or body; and
	(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (6)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its inclusion in the report.
	(8) The disclosure or publication by the Council of a report in accordance with this section does not contravene section 57."

Provision of information to the Council.

22. - (1) The Council may require the Authority to supply to it such information relating to the Authority's functions as the Council may require in the exercise of its functions.

(2) The Council may require the holder of a licence under the 1986 Act or the 1989 Act (a "licence holder") to supply to it such information as it may require in the exercise of its functions.

(3) The Authority and any licence holder shall comply with a requirement under this section as soon as reasonably practicable.

(4) Information supplied to the Council under this section shall be supplied in such form as the Council may reasonably specify.

(5) Before requiring information to be supplied under this section and in specifying the form in which any information is to be supplied, the Council shall have regard to the desirability of minimising the costs, or any other detriment, to the Authority or any licence holder.

(6) The Secretary of State may make regulations prescribing-

(a) descriptions of information which the Authority or any licence holder may refuse to supply under this section, or

(b) circumstances in which the Authority or any licence holder may refuse to supply information under this section.

(7) Where a licence holder refuses to supply any information required under this section, the Council may refer the refusal to the Authority.

(8) On any referral under subsection (7) the Authority shall-

(a) consider any representations made by the Council or the licence holder, and

(b) determine whether by virtue of any regulations made under subsection (6) the licence holder is entitled to refuse to supply the information,

and, if the Authority determines that it is not so entitled, the licence holder shall supply the information to the Council.

(9) The Authority shall, if required by the Council to do so, give notice to the Council of its reasons for-

(a) a refusal to supply information under this section; or

(b) a determination under subsection (9).

(10) The power of the Secretary of State under subsection (6) to make regulations shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Publication of notice of reasons.

23. - (1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Council may publish a notice given to it under section 22(9).

(2) Information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be published under subsection (1) unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (3) applies to the information.

(3) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be published if-

(a) that individual or body has consented to the disclosure;

(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or

(c) it is not information the publication of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.

(4) Before deciding to disclose any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (3)(c), the Council shall-

(a) consult that person or body; and

(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (3)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its publication.

(5) The publication by the Council of information under this section does not contravene section 42 of the 1986 Act or section 57 of the 1989 Act.

Provision of information by the Council to the Authority.

24. - (1) The Council shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after being required to do so by the Authority, supply to the Authority such information as the Authority may require in the exercise of its functions.

(2) The Secretary of State may make regulations prescribing-

(a) descriptions of information which the Council may refuse to supply under this section, or

(b) circumstances in which the Council may refuse to supply information under this section.

(3) Where the Council refuses to supply any information under subsection (1), it must give notice to the Authority of its reason for the refusal and the Authority may publish that notice in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(4) In publishing any notice under this section the Authority shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as that is practicable, any matter which relates to the affairs of a particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate), where publication of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the Authority, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that person or body.

(5) The power of the Secretary of State under subsection (2) to make regulations shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Prepared 21 January 2000