HC Deb 10 June 1969 vol 784 cc1221-2
45. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power what measures he has now considered to increase public awareness of the maximum resale price of electricity.

Mr. Freeson

I have nothing to add as yet to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 29th April.—[Vol. 782, c. 1140.]

Mr. Osborn

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the inquiries being conducted by the Consultative Council, by Manchester University students and at Sheffield, and will he say what is the outcome?

Mr. Freeson

I am aware of the inquiries of the Consultative Council to which the hon. Gentleman refers and of other consultative council inquiries which are going on, because I have to some extent been involved in initiating those inquiries and have had discussions with the councils concerned.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that it is not just a question of increasing public awareness of the maximum price at which electricity can be resold, but putting weapons into the hands of consumers who are being victimised so that they can reclaim the amounts by which they are being overcharged?

Mr. Freeson

I certainly agree that there are a quite large and perhaps unknown number of cases where consumers who are ill-protected are suffering as a result of overcharging. As I have previously said in the House, I am looking into this question as thoroughly as possible.