Written question asked by Lord Rowlands (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 July 1997. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 July 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: What are the key functions of the Energy Advisory Panel; when the Panel was established; by what authority; and if she will list the names of the Chairman and the Secretary.

Answer: Mr. Rowlands: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the key functions of the energy advisory panel; when the panel was established; by what authority; and if she will list the names of the chairman and the secretary. [9633] Mr. Battle: The energy advisory panel was established in 1993, following a commitment by the then Government in their coal review to publish an annual energy report to provide information relevant to business and investment decisions. The panel was formed to advise on the interpretation of information in the report, and its implications for the way markets might develop in the future: and to advise on commissioning special studies, and offer advice on the exercise of responsibilities such as licensing. The panel has no statutory basis. The current chairman is Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield; the secretary is Rob Potter, an official in DTI's energy policy and analysis unit.

Secondary information