Conduct Of The Director General Of Offer

EDM number 783 in 1992-93, proposed by John Cummings on 10/11/1992.

That this House condemns the failure of the Director General of OFFER, Dr Stephen Littlechild, for his failure until prompted by the Trade and Industry Select Committee to investigate the likely cost to the consumer of plans massively to increase the use of gas-fired power stations by the regional electricity companies; notes with concern that the Director General of OFFER has also failed to examine the likely cost to consumers of 'sweetheart' deals involving some regional electricity companies which have enabled those same companies to sign contracts to effectively supply themselves for anything up to 15 years; further condemns the Director General for his failure to consult with the President of the Board of Trade at any time over proposals from the generating companies that would reduce the British coal industry by two thirds; believes that this is a gross dereliction of duty; also notes that the Director General originally intended to publish the results of OFFER's investigation on the effects for the electricity consumer of large scale pit closures only after the closures had taken place; believes that the Director General's close relationship with the Conservative Political Centre indicated that his original appointment was politically motivated and that he is an entirely inappropriate figure to represent the interests of the energy consumer; and calls on Dr Stephen Littlechild to resign.

This motion has been signed by a total of 62 MPs.