§ 40. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the concern felt in the electricity supply industry about the present position of the certification of meters required by the 1936 Act; and whether an extended period is to be allowed for the certification of all meters now on circuit when the procedure laid down in the 1936 Act is resumed.
§ Mr. ShinwellI assume my hon. Friend is referring to the extension of the ten-year period specified in Section 3 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1936, within which uncertified meters installed before the Appointed Day (1st July, 1938) have to be replaced. This period has already been extended to 30th June, 1950, by Article 2 of S.R. & O. 1946, No. 162. I understand that the Electricity Commissioners received some representations in this matter from electricity undertakings. I am not prepared so far in advance to take steps to provide for an extension of the period beyond 1950, and every effort should, therefore, be made to complete the change of meters before the 30th June, 1950.