HC Deb 17 June 1969 vol 785 cc232-5
4. Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Power whether he has completed his consideration of measures to protect from overcharging those who consume electricity through privately installed meters; and what steps he proposes to take.

54. Mr. Boston

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to overcharge for the resale of electricity and gas.

Mr. Freeson

My review is not yet complete, but I am determined to find a solution.

Sir J. Eden

Did not the hon. Gentleman say as long ago as December, 1967 that he was awaiting further evidence? Is not he aware of the Consumer Council's recent survey in Sheffield? What further evidence does he want before deciding how to act?

Mr. Freeson

The answer to the first point raised in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is that I do not recall undertaking a review of possible legislation in December, 1967. I am aware, in answer to the second point, of the survey which was conducted in Sheffield, in addition to other inquiries that have been, or are being, made because I was largely responsible for their initiation.

Mr. Boston

Does my hon. Friend agree that there is cause for concern and a need to obtain the fullest information before the extent of the problem can be fully measured? What consideration is he giving to having a thorough survey into the issue?

Mr. Freeson

I assure my hon. Friend that we have given thought to undertaking a survey to get more detailed and comprehensive information about the problem. However, we have come to the conclusion that, at least for the present, we have enough information to justify our taking action without spending further time and money conducting a survey Nevertheless, I appreciate that we may have to look at this matter again later.

Mr. Crouch

Why should the Minister even talk about the possibility of spending further time and money conducting a survey when the Consumer Council, which is designed to protect consumer interests, has already carried out such a survey, which revealed some important facts; for example, that a large number of students do not know who owns the meters, what rate is charged or that a fixed rate has been set by the Electricity Council?

Mr. Freeson

I am not clear about what the hon. Gentleman is asking me. He began by asking why we needed a survey and went on to say that a survey had already been conducted. I explained that we had sufficient information on which to act because of the facts that had been put before us.

Mr. Crawshaw

Is my hon. Friend aware that the best means of dealing with this problem would be to make it a criminal offence?

Mr. Freeson

We are considering how we could in practice apply control, or the kind of legislation that would be appropriate. It is not the principle that is being queried.

30. Mr. Silvester

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with interested bodies on possible ways of preventing over-charging for electricity consumed through privately installed meters.

50. Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now introduce legislation to enforce the maximum resale prices of electricity and gas by the respective boards.

Mr. Freeson

I would refer hon. Members to my reply of 10th June to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) [Vol. 784, c. 227].

Mr. Silvester

Would it not be a good idea, in respect of privately installed meters, to require compulsorily that the local maximum rate should be given to the tenant and also the rate at which the meter has been set? Should that not be done fairly quickly?

Mr. Freeson

We have discussed over quite a period methods by which there could be greater publicity given, not only to the maximum charges but also about advice from consultative councils and the like, which would' enable consumers to read their own meters more easily and to establish whether they are being overcharged.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Would my hon. Friend consult with local authority bodies to see whether there is any prospect of enforcing the present legislation through the media of local government inspectors, who would be doing their normal work in relation to housing of a poor nature?

Mr. Freeson

We have not embarked on any consultations with the local authority associations on this matter. We are in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing on the possibility. In the meantime we have been looking at the various ways in which this matter might be pursued legislatively, and I have asked the consultative council chairmen and their members to make inquiries locally with local authority health officers and the like to see how best they envisage this matter being handled before we come to conclusions on it.