§ 69. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking to modify the charges imposed on domestic electricity consumers under the two-part tariff scheme during the present curtailment of electricity supply.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe present curtailment of supplies cannot result in any substantial reduction of the fixed charges borne by the electricity supply undertakings. Any reduction in expenditure, due to the saving of coal, will be offset by the reduction in revenue from the sales of reduced quantities of electricity. I cannot agree, therefore, that the undertakings should, in present conditions, reduce their charges under the two-part tariff.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, by his Order, he has interfered with the contracting rights of consumers, and is he prepared to relieve them of the burden of a payment which is made in return for those rights?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe have to balance that against the position of the undertakings.