Utilities Bill

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

back to previous text

Electricity performance standards

Standards of performance in individual cases.

52. - (1) In section 39 of the 1989 Act-

(a) in subsection (2)(a), after "section" there is inserted "or their rights under section 39A"; and

(b) subsections (5), (5A) and (6) shall cease to have effect.

(2) After section 39 of the 1989 Act there is inserted-

"Standards of performance in individual cases: electricity distributors.	39A. - (1) The Authority may with the consent of the Secretary of State make regulations prescribing such standards of performance in connection with the activities of electricity distributors, so far as affecting customers or potential customers of electricity suppliers, as in the Authority's opinion ought to be achieved in individual cases.
	(2) If an electricity distributor fails to meet a prescribed standard, he shall make to any person who is affected by the failure and is of a prescribed description such compensation as may be determined by or under the regulations.
	(3) The regulations may-
	(a) prescribe circumstances in which electricity distributors are to inform customers or potential customers of electricity suppliers of their rights under this section;
	(b) prescribe such standards of performance in relation to any duty arising under paragraph (a) as, in the Authority's opinion, ought to be achieved in all cases;
	(c) make provision as to the manner in which compensation under this section is to be made;
	(d) prescribe circumstances in which electricity distributors are to be exempted from any requirements of the regulations or this section; and
	(e) if the Authority is of the opinion that the differences are such that no electricity distributor would be unduly disadvantaged in competing with other electricity distributors, make different provision with respect to different electricity distributors.
	(4) Provision made under subsection (3)(c) may-
	(a) require or permit compensation to be made on behalf of electricity distributors by electricity suppliers to customers or potential customers; and
	(b) require electricity suppliers to provide services to electricity distributors in connection with the making of compensation under this section.
	(5) The making of compensation under this section in respect of any failure to meet a prescribed standard shall not prejudice any other remedy which may be available in respect of the act or omission which constituted that failure.
	(6) In this section "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations under this section.
Standards of performance in individual cases: disputes.	39B. - (1) Any dispute arising under section 39 or 39A or regulations made under either of those sections-
	(a) may be referred to the Authority by either party or, with the agreement of either party, by the Council; and
	(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made by the Authority or, if it thinks fit, by such person (other than the Council) as may be prescribed.
	(2) A person making an order under subsection (1) shall include in the order his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.
	(3) The practice and procedure to be followed in connection with any such determination shall be such as may be prescribed.
	(4) An order under subsection (1) shall be final and shall be enforceable-
	(a) in England and Wales, as if it were a judgment of a county court; and
	(b) in Scotland, as if it were an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff.
	(5) In this section "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Authority with the consent of the Secretary of State."

Overall standards of performance.

53. After section 40 of the 1989 Act there is inserted-

"Overall standards of performance: electricity distributors.	40A. - (1) The Authority may from time to time-
	(a) determine such standards of overall performance in connection with the activities of electricity distributors as, in its opinion, ought to be achieved by them; and
	(b) arrange for the publication, in such form and in such manner as it considers appropriate, of the standards so determined.
	(2) Different standards may be determined for different electricity distributors if the Authority is of the opinion that the differences are such that no electricity distributor would be unduly disadvantaged in competing with other electricity distributors.
	(3) It shall be the duty of every electricity distributor to conduct his business in such a way as can reasonably be expected to lead to his achieving the standards set under this section."

Standards of performance: procedures.

54. After section 40A of the 1989 Act (which is inserted by section 53 above) there is inserted-

"Procedures for prescribing or determining standards of performance.	40B. - (1) Before prescribing standards of performance in regulations under section 39 or 39A, or determining standards of performance under section 40 or 40A, the Authority shall-
	(a) arrange for such research as the Authority considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected and considering the results;
	(b) publish a notice of its proposals in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) and consider any representations which are duly made in respect of those proposals; and
	(c) consult the Council and other persons or bodies mentioned in subsection (4).
	(2) The notice required by subsection (1)(b) is a notice-
	(a) stating that the Authority proposes to prescribe or determine standards of performance and setting out the standards of performance proposed;
	(b) stating the reasons why it proposes to prescribe or determine those standards of performance; and
	(c) specifying the time (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations with respect to the proposals may be made.
	(3) A notice required by subsection (1)(b) shall be published in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of those likely to be affected by the proposals.
	(4) The persons or bodies to be consulted by the Authority under subsection (1)(c) are-
	(a) electricity suppliers (in the case of standards of performance under section 39 or 40) or electricity distributors and electricity suppliers (in the case of standards of performance under section 39A or 40A); and
	(b) persons or bodies appearing to the Authority to be representative of persons likely to be affected by the regulations or determination.
	(5) The Authority shall make arrangements for securing that notices under subsection (1)(b), regulations under section 39 or 39A and determinations under section 40 or 40A are made available to the public by whatever means it considers appropriate."

Information with respect to levels of performance.

55. - (1) Section 42 of the 1989 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), paragraph (c) (and the word "and" preceding it) shall cease to have effect.

(3) After subsection (1) there is inserted-

	"(1A) The Authority shall from time to time collect information with respect to-
	(a) the compensation made by electricity distributors under section 39A above;
	(b) the levels of overall performance achieved by electricity distributors."

(4) In subsection (2) for the words from the beginning to "year" there is substituted "At such times" and in paragraph (b) the words "or 41 above" shall cease to have effect.

(5) After subsection (2) there is inserted-

	"(2A) At such times as may be specified in a direction given by the Authority, each electricity distributor shall furnish to the Authority the following information, namely-
	(a) as respects each standard prescribed by regulations under section 39A, the number of cases in which compensation was made and the aggregate amount or value of that compensation; and
	(b) as respects each standard determined under section 40A such information with respect to the level of performance achieved by the distributor as may be so specified."

(6) In subsection (3), after "supplier" there is inserted "or electricity distributor" and for "subsection (2) above" there is substituted "this section".

Information to be given to customers.

56. For section 42A of the 1989 Act there is substituted-

"Information to be given to customers about overall performance.	42A. - (1) The Authority may make regulations requiring such information as may be specified or described in the regulations about-
	(a) the standards of overall performance determined under section 40 or 40A; and
	(b) the levels of performance achieved as respects those standards, to be given by electricity suppliers or electricity distributors to customers or potential customers of electricity suppliers.
	(2) Regulations under this section may include provision-
	(a) specifying the form and manner in which and the frequency with which information is to be given; and
	(b) requiring information about the matters mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) and relating to electricity distributors to be given by electricity distributors to electricity suppliers and by electricity suppliers to their customers or potential customers."

Enforcement of obligations

Financial penalties.

57. - (1) After section 27 of the 1989 Act there is inserted-

"Penalties.	27A. - (1) Where the Authority is satisfied that a licence holder-
	(a) has contravened or is contravening any relevant condition or requirement; or
	(b) has failed or is failing to achieve any standard of performance prescribed under section 39 or 39A, the Authority may, subject to section 27C, impose on the licence holder a penalty of such amount as is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case.
	(2) Before imposing a penalty on a licence holder under subsection (1) the Authority shall give notice-
	(a) stating that it proposes to impose a penalty and the amount of the penalty proposed to be imposed;
	(b) setting out the relevant condition or requirement or the standard of performance in question;
	(c) specifying the acts or omissions which, in the opinion of the Authority, constitute the contravention or failure in question and the other facts which, in the opinion of the Authority, justify the imposition of a penalty and the amount of the penalty proposed; and
	(d) specifying the period (not being less than 21 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed penalty may be made, and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
	(3) Before varying any proposal stated in a notice under subsection (2)(a) the Authority shall give notice-
	(a) setting out the proposed variation and the reasons for it; and
	(b) specifying the period (not being less than 21 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed variation may be made, and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
	(4) As soon as practicable after imposing a penalty, the Authority shall give notice-
	(a) stating that it has imposed a penalty on the licence holder and its amount;
	(b) setting out the relevant condition or requirement or the standard of performance in question;
	(c) specifying the acts or omissions which, in the opinion of the Authority, constitute the contravention or failure in question and the other facts which, in the opinion of the Authority, justify the imposition of the penalty and its amount; and
	(d) specifying a date, no earlier than the end of the period of 42 days from the date of service of the notice on the licence holder, by which the penalty is required to be paid.
	(5) The licence holder may, within 21 days of the date of service on him of a notice under subsection (4), make an application to the Authority for it to specify different dates by which different portions of the penalty are to be paid.
	(6) Any notice required to be given under this section shall be given-
	(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters to which the notice relates to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them;
	(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the licence holder; and
	(c) by serving a copy of the notice on the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council.
	(7) Any sums received by the Authority by way of penalty under this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
	(8) The power of the Authority under subsection (1) is not exercisable in respect of any contravention or failure before the commencement of that subsection.
Statement of policy with respect to penalties.	27B. - (1) The Authority shall prepare and publish a statement of policy with respect to the imposition of penalties and the determination of their amount.
	(2) In deciding whether to impose a penalty, and in determining the amount of any penalty, in respect of a contravention or failure the Authority shall have regard to its statement of policy most recently published at the time when the contravention or failure occurred.
	(3) The Authority may revise its statement of policy and where it does so shall publish the revised statement.
	(4) Publication under this section shall be in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters contained in the statement of policy to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them.
	(5) The Authority shall undertake such consultation as it considers appropriate when preparing or revising its statement of policy.
Time limits on the imposition of financial penalties.	27C. - (1) Where no final or provisional order has been made in relation to a contravention or failure, the Authority may not impose a penalty in respect of the contravention or failure unless the notice relating to the penalty under section 27A(2) was served on the licence holder under section 27A(6) within 12 months from the time of the contravention or failure.
	(2) Where a final or provisional order has been made in relation to a contravention or failure, the Authority may not impose a penalty in respect of the contravention or failure unless the notice relating to the penalty under section 27A(2) was served on the licence holder under section 27A(6)-
	(a) within three months from the confirmation of the provisional order or the making of the final order, or
	(b) where the provisional order is not confirmed, within six months from the making of the provisional order.
Interest and payment of instalments.	27D. - (1) If the whole or any part of a penalty is not paid by the date by which it is required to be paid, the unpaid balance from time to time shall carry interest at the rate for the time being specified in section 17 of the Judgments Act 1838.
	(2) If an application is made under subsection (5) of section 27A in relation to a penalty, the penalty is not required to be paid until the application has been determined.
	(3) If the Authority grants an application under that subsection in relation to a penalty but any portion of the penalty is not paid by the date specified in relation to it by the Authority under that subsection, the Authority may where it considers it appropriate require so much of the penalty as has not already been paid to be paid immediately.
Validity and effect of penalties.	27E. - (1) If the licence holder on whom a penalty is imposed is aggrieved by-
	(a) the imposition of the penalty;
	(b) the amount of the penalty; or
	(c) the date by which the penalty is required to be paid, or the different dates by which different portions of the penalty are required to be paid, the licence holder may make an application to the court under this section.
	(2) An application under subsection (1) must be made-
	(a) within 42 days from the date of service on the licence holder of a notice under section 27A(4), or
	(b) where the application relates to a decision of the Authority on an application by the licence holder under section 27A(5), within 42 days from the date the licence holder is notified of the decision.
	(3) On any such application, where the court considers it appropriate to do so in all the circumstances of the case and is satisfied of one or more of the grounds falling within subsection (4), the court-
	(a) may quash the penalty;
	(b) may substitute a penalty of such lesser amount as the court considers appropriate in all the circumstances of the case; or
	(c) in the case of an application under subsection (1)(c), may substitute for the date or dates imposed by the Authority an alternative date or dates.
	(4) The grounds falling within this subsection are-
	(a) that the imposition of the penalty was not within the power of the Authority under section 27A;
	(b) that any of the requirements of subsections (2) to (4) or (6) of section 27A have not been complied with in relation to the imposition of the penalty and the interests of the licence holder have been substantially prejudiced by the non-compliance; or
	(c) that it was unreasonable of the Authority to require the penalty imposed, or any portion of it, to be paid by the date or dates by which it was required to be paid.
	(5) If an application is made under this section in relation to a penalty, the penalty is not required to be paid until the application has been determined.
	(6) Where the court substitutes a penalty of a lesser amount it may require the payment of interest on the substituted penalty at such rate, and from such date, as it considers just and equitable.
	(7) Where the court specifies as a date by which the penalty, or a portion of the penalty, is to be paid a date before the determination of the application under this section it may require the payment of interest on the penalty, or portion, from that date at such rate as it considers just and equitable.
	(8) Except as provided by this section, the validity of a penalty shall not be questioned by any legal proceedings whatever.
	(9) In this section "the court" means-
	(a) in relation to England and Wales, the High Court; and
	(b) in relation to Scotland, the Court of Session.
Recovery of penalties	27F. Where a penalty imposed under section 27A(1), or any portion of it, has not been paid by the date on which it is required to be paid and-
	(a) no application relating to the penalty has been made under section 27E during the period within which such an application can be made, or
	(b) an application has been made under that section and determined, the Authority may recover from the licence holder, as a civil debt due to it, any of the penalty and any interest which has not been paid."
	(2) In section 49 of the 1989 Act (keeping of a register), after subsection (2)(d) there is inserted "; and

(e) every penalty imposed under section 27A(1) and every notice under section 27A(4).".

Prepared 12 April 2000