A browning awaits Cedric over the gas

Cedric Brown's televised appearance before the House of Commons employment committee promises to be a fiery encounter. "Get there early to be sure of seeing the show," warns Greville Janner, the Labour chairman of the committee. "The committee members are all very keen to ask him about his remuneration package."

The timing of the appearance proves beneficial for workers at the gas shops who have been resigning in droves after their wages and conditions were slashed to make the division suitable for sell-off.

Management is due to meet Unison, the workers' union, on Thursday to discuss the package before its July implementation.

"Cedric Brown's appearance seems to have concentrated everyone's minds," said Barry Howarth, the national officer at Unison. "Lately we have experienced a substantial change in the company's attitude."