HC Deb 10 May 1971 vol 817 c20
27. Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress being made on conversion of consumers' appliances to natural gas.

Mr. Ridley

The programme is on target. Nearly 10 million appliances belonging to more than 3¾ million consumers have so far been converted.

Mr. Watkins

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his reply. Is he fully aware of the sheer immensity of the operation, in that there are well over 30 million appliances to be converted? Is he satisfied that the conversion is proceeding with a minimum of inconvenience to consumers?

Mr. Ridley

I am aware of the immensity of the programme. It was always scheduled to take 10 years, up till the end of 1978, but we now hope that by 1975 most consumers will be converted. I believe that the number of complaints from consumers has on the whole been dropping, which is a tribute to the gas boards carrying out the conversion.