HC Deb 01 February 1972 vol 830 cc222-3
8. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue a general direction to electricity boards to make a study of the number of cases of hardship, qualifying for benefit, which can be attributed to the system, whereby they demand quarterly payments, rather than weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payment.

Mr. Dean

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no power to issue directions to electricity boards. But the Supplementary Benefits Commission maintains close contact with the boards about the problems which sometimes arise in this field and about practicable ways of avoiding hardship.

Mr. Dalyell

It is all very well to talk about the problems sometimes arising, but often the existence of a heavy quarter's bill is a source of debt starting.

Mr. Dean

I realise that this is a problem, and the Supplementary Benefits Commission has been discussing this with the Gas Council and Electricity Council and with representatives from local authorities. I hope it will be possible for an agreed method of avoiding these difficulties to be arrived at soon. It may well be that the fixed sum at monthly intervals arrangement will be the most satisfactory way of dealing with the difficulties that the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

Sir G. Nabarro

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind the total unsuitability for elderly people of quarterly billing based on internal electricity meters, which was the cause recently of the suicide of Mrs. Ann Hemmingway of Coventry on receipt of a deliberately inflated electricity bill?

Mr. Dean

Yes, we are very concerned about these matters. That is why the Commission is having discussions with the proper authorities to see whether we can arrive at more satisfactory arrangements.

Mr. Eadie

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong case for re-examination of this position? For example, it is contradicting the Government's policy on the movement of population from older areas into new towns. Why should those who decide to move to new towns be punished and penalised because of these restrictions, put forward by electricity boards or any other boards?

Mr. Dean

I hope that the assurances I have given to the House about the discussions which are taking place are felt to be satisfactory. I must reiterate that my right hon. Friend has no power to dictate to the electricity boards in this matter.

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