To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he first consulted the National Gas Consumers Council concerning the proposed European Community directive concerning the efficiency requirements for new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

Since the European Commission published its proposal for a directive on hot water boilers, in November 1990, my energy efficiency office has been holding staged consultations with interested bodies in the United Kingdom. The initial stages of consultations were technically based and involved the gas industry and manufacturing organisations. Formal consultations with consumers associations, including the National Gas Consumers Council, have been under way since June 1991.