§ 13. Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from the Electrical Association for Women on the subject of siting of electricity and gas meters and what replies he has sent.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Reginald Eyre)The Electrical Association for Women wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend on 3rd February. Its main requests were that in the preparation of new legislation on building control consideration should be given to providing for the accessibility of meters and fuse boxes in houses and flats and for external meter reading facilities. In reply it has been assured that these points will be considered.
§ Mr. RedmondI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is it not obvious that we should get things moving rather faster? Surely it is common sense that if a meter can he read from outside a house the people who are out at work all day will get accurate bills and old people will feel happier because they will know that a bogus meter reader has not come to "case the joint".
§ Mr. EyreI accept my hon. Friend's points. The Electricity Council has 393 recently reported an increasing popularity for outdoor electricity meter cupboards, and a significant number of new houses are now being equipped with them.
§ Dr. GlynWill my hon. Friend consider a similar proposal for gas meters? Does he realise that the amount of time spent reading two meters separately is unwarranted, and that both gas and electricity meters should be placed so that they can be easily read together by meter readers outside the premises?