§ 35. Major Petoasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to the conditions which are contained in many contracts between suppliers and consumers of electricity which insists that the consumer must take a minimum amount of electricity per annum; and whether, in view of the vital necessity of reducing consumption, he will take steps to arrange for such contracts to be modified during the war period?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to cases in which the supply undertaking, in view of the capital expenditure involved in providing a supply of electricity, have asked the consumer to guarantee to take or pay for a minimum number of units per annum for a period of years in order to ensure to the supply authority a minimum revenue to meet the capital and other charges involved. If, as a result of economies in consumption owing to present conditions, a consumer does not consume the guaranteed amount, he should get in touch with the supply authority and ask them to consider some revision of the contract. I am informed that the supply authorities are ready to consider particular cases sympathetically on their merits.
§ Mr. MathersWill the Minister lend his influence where that sympathetic consideration is not given?