Part 1 The constitution, regulation and privatisation: introduction; what is the constitution? - ministerial accountability, individual rights, territorial powers; the background to regulation - the privatisation programme - increasing competition?, regulation; conclusions. Part 2 The duties, powers and responsibilities of the regulator: duties of the regulator - primary duties, secondary duties, environmental duties, safety duties; conclusions on the Director Generals' duties; responsibilities of regulators - responsibilities in relation to licences - grant, modification and enforcement, competition law powers and relationship with the competition authorities, collection and provision of relevant information, consumer protection - quality of service, dealing with complaints and disputes, inter-connection disputes; conclusions. Part 3 Regulators and Ministers: government powers over regulators; relations with the Competition Commission; government powers in practice - merger control and the electricity industry, competition in gas supply, charging for water, the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and computer systems, the poverty issue; reform and the Green Paper; conclusions. Part 4 Procedures and accountability: traditional accountability devices - the role of the courts, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, parliamentary committees; decision-making procedures - licence modification, enforcement; regulatory review and freedom of information. Part 5 Representing the consumer: the legal framework of consumer representation - relations with the regulator and the companies; quality of service; access to utility services - disconnection for debt, universal service; conclusions. Part 6 The regions and Europe: territory and the constitution; regional aspects of utility regulation; the role of the European Community; conclusions. Part 7 Rights and the social dimension: rights talk; the Human Rights Act; social rights and obligations; the EC and utilities policy; a new government and a new approach?; conclusions. Part 8 Issues in price control: price control - origin and issues; legal framework; price control and the water industry; electricity; gas; telecommunications; conclusions. Part 9 The development of competitive markets: developing the policy - telecommunications, gas supply, electricity; the new Competition Act; conclusions. Part 10 Conclusions.
