asked the Minister for Communications the cost of the Users' Council for the year 1984; and the number of complaints dealt with by the council.

The former Post Office Users' Council was replaced on 5 July 1984 by a Telecommunications Users' Council and a Postal Service Users' Council. The combined cost of the users' councils for the year 1984 was £49,325 and the number of complaints dealt with was 403.

Is the Minister satisfied with the structure of the Users' Council as it stands? I do not think the public are aware of the existence of this council, as is evidenced by the 400 complaints that have been made. Would the Minister review the work of the council so that it will become more meaningful to the consumers?

The Deputy has a point and I will consider the roles of the two councils and how they might be changed.

Does the Minister propose to review the terms of reference of the council in view of the recent extension of the Ombudsman Act whose terms of reference have been extended to complaints about telephone and telecommunications generally? What future does he see for this council?

A certain duplication has arisen because of the new role of the Ombudsman and I am considering the implications for the council.