Mr Rowley replied that the ongoing investigation by the Met Police and Health and Safety Executive meant he was limited in what he could say, but added that, broadly speaking, companies involved in the transmission of gas must comply with the gas safety regulations.
Mr Rowley said he would also speak to the minister for local government about the speed of the gas replacement project which aims to replace old and deteriorating metal pipes with plastic ones.
Ms McDonagh told Parliament she had written to the government four days after the explosion asking for financial help for those that had fled their homes on behalf of Merton Council however she did not receive a response until seven weeks later.
“When a tragedy like this happens, the local council is left on their own,” she said.
“Why isn’t government support immediately offered and who should pick up the support bill?”
She added some residents had expressed concerns they had been presented with large insurance fees and were worried about large premiums in the future through no fault of their own.
In response, Mr Rowley said he would “expect every insurance company to put their customers first.
“It will be very clear which companies do and which companies do not, and we will be watching.”
He added: “The community pulled together in the aftermath of this explosion but it is time for action.
“The community do want answers why this happened, could it have been prevented, and how can we stop a tragedy like this happening again.”
