§ 22. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the Electricity Council and with the Gas Council about the scope for greater productivity in meter reading; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonI have had extensive discussions with the industries' area boards in different parts of the country about joint meter reading and the possibility of feasibility studies being carried out. These discussions have covered other 193 aspects of efficiency in meter reading as well.
§ Mr. BakerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that about 5,000 men are going round the country reading gas meters while another 5,000 are reading electricity meters? Will he give some urgency to the task of combining the two forces into a national meter-reading force and so make a substantial overall saving?
§ Mr. FreesonI suggest that to begin with the hon. Gentleman checks his figures. Those he gave were not quite accurate.
§ Mr. FreesonIf the hon. Gentleman will contain himself, I will explain the position. I have looked again at the question which the Weir Report considered—that of an independent meter-reading service—and I have concluded that that is not the right way to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs my right hon. Friend aware that hon. Gentlemen opposite had 13 years in which to do something about this, but did nothing?