HC Deb 11 June 1964 vol 696 cc605-6
4. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the further evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Lady-wood, about the problem of compensation for money stolen from gas and electricity meters; and when the hon. Member may expect a reply to his original memorandum containing evidence on this subject sent on 14th April.

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Member will now have received my reply to his memorandum. I am satisfied that the boards deal with these cases in a fair and reasonable way. The boards concerned have at my request written to the hon. Member about the further cases of which he has told me.

Mr. Yates

Does not the Minister realise that in this long list relating to Birmingham there are many widows and old-age pensioners? Even the answers of the board quote the case of a widow, aged 64, who is ill, in whose case the efforts on the part of the police have had no result, and yet the board says that it is not yet putting on pressure to get 10s. a week in respect of a bill for £5 14s. Is it not time for an inquiry into this situation?

Mr. Peyton

I admit the difficulty that arises in these cases. Only yesterday I was discussing the situation with the Chairman of the West Midlands Gas Board, who I know is anxious to treat these cases with as much fairness and consideration as is possible.

Mr. Skeet

Does not my hon. Friend agree that if this question is left to the discretion of nationalised corporations it ill-becomes hon. Members opposite to impugn that discretion?

Mr. T. Fraser

The hon. Member has just said that he has recently had discussions with the Chairman of this Gas Board. Does that not indicate that he, too, is beginning to realise that this is a very important matter, and that people all over the country are feeling very dissatisfied with the way in which consumers whose meters are robbed are treated by gas and electricity area boards? Is it not time for the Minister himself to take a hand and give a direction to these area boards? Is it not wrong that there should be this lack of uniformity? Is not the policy of the Scottish Gas Board, following a decision in the Glasgow Sheriff Court, by far the most humane policy administered throughout the whole service?

Mr. Peyton

I would be reluctant, as would my right hon. Friend, to issue directions to the boards on this subject, The fact that I discussed the question with one of the chairmen yesterday was simply a matter of routine. Matters which are brought up as frequently as this in the House of Commons are very much in the minds of the chairmen. They are very concerned to do the right thing.

Mr. Yates

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.