§ 9. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General if he will consult the Electricity Council as a preliminary to giving a general direction on the carrying out by the electricity boards of Section 29 of the Electricity Act, 1957, which requires the fixing of maximum charges by the boards for the resale of electricity to sub-tenants and other persons.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. My noble Friend considers that this power, which is permissive, can best be exercised by the boards themselves in the light of local circumstances.
§ Mr. PalmerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a matter of great importance and interest to the consumers of electricity, and is it not desirable that there shall be a national policy to be followed by all the boards generally?
§ Mr. MaudlingI understand that the boards are, in fact, considering the matter in the light of local circumstances and in consultation with the Electricity Council, which has itself referred the question to its Retail Tariffs Committee.