§ 7. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Power what progress has been made with the feasibility studies of the possible use of one meter reader for both gas and electricity.
§ 8. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Minister of Power what progress he has made in his discussions regarding the use of one meter reader where appropriate for both gas and electricity; and if he will make a statement.
§ 24. Mr. Kenneth Bakerasked the Minister of Power whether he intends to implement the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes Report to amalgamate the meter reading staffs of the gas councils and electricity boards.
§ Mr. FreesonThe feasibility studies have been completed. The results will shortly be considered by the Electricity and Gas Councils, to decide whether to extend the studies to field trials, as has been suggested by the National Board for Prices and Incomes in its Report No. 102.
§ Mr. DanceWhy is there such a long delay? The scheme has been proved to work well in France. It is obvious that one man reading both beters and, with the aid of computers, one bill must be cheaper. The hon. Gentleman must 179 realise that it would halve the risk of bogus meter readers.
§ Mr. FreesonThe hon. Gentleman reads too much into this possibility. I assure him that it is a subject to which I have paid special attention since I have been at the Ministry. I am not persuaded that there is likely to be any major savings as a result of any such exercise in joint management. The N.B.P.I. estimated the figure at about £1½ million without taking into account counterbalancing costs.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that there would be not only economic advantage but advantage from a convenience point of view? Householders should not have to stay in to have their meters read when the numbers of calls could be reduced by half.
§ Mr. FreesonI assure my hon. Friend that, although I want to abate the enthusiasm of one or two hon. Members opposite on this subject, I am concerned that the matter should be properly studied and field trials will be considered by the two Councils. The matter is being pursued seriously and benefit could accrue from such an exercise.
§ Mr. BakerWhy has it taken so long for the Ministry to recognise a fact which is self-evident to every householder, namely, that one man could read both meters? The saving of £1½ million estimated by the N.B.P.I. is a substantial one. Should not this saving be made immediately?
§ Mr. FreesonIf the hon. Gentleman refers to the Report of the National Board, he will find that what the Board has to say on this matter arises largely as a result of the work that the Ministry has been doing on the matter.