HC Deb 28 February 1983 vol 38 cc7-8
7. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the number of pensioners who have had their electricity or gas supplies maintained whose supplies would otherwise have been disconnected by virtue of heavy debt; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gray

It is not practicable to make such an estimate, but pensioners in general have a good payment record.

Mr. Greenway

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that I welcome that compassionate scheme that the Government have introduced? Will he press the electricity and gas boards to act much more quickly? They need a bomb under them. Is my right hon. Friend aware that when one asks energy boards to take up a case that is obviously urgent—otherwise one would not ask them to do so—they take much too long? Will he do something to speed up the process?

Mr. Gray

I can understand my hon. Friend's anxiety, but I assure him that the gas and electricity boards take this matter seriously. They have co-operated with the Government and they will shortly implement the 50–50 policy.

Mr. Eadie

Although such organisations as Age Concern say that few elderly people are disconnected—one is too many—will the Minister confirm that elderly people who live with younger relatives are not protected from disconnection? What do the Government intend to do about that? Incidentally, the Opposition do not favour bombs.

Mr. Gray

The hon. Gentleman will realise that the number of disconnections has fallen sharply. Electricity disconnections have fallen by about 25 per cent. and gas disconnections have fallen by about 30 per cent. in the past two years. Some 1.5 million pensioners are among those who benefit from the £325 million that is provided each year by the Government through my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to assist with fuel bills.

Mr. Warren

I welcome my right hon. Friend's initiative in connection with the rebate scheme, but will he please identify whether the South-Eastern electricity board is refusing to implement this scheme, which would be of tremendous help to pensioners in the south-east and for which they have waited a long time since his first announcement?

Mr. Gray

The South-Eastern electricity board is implementing the scheme, but, regrettably, not in the same way as most other boards. The result is that many people who would benefit substantially are benefiting by only about half as much as they might.

Mr. Eastham

The Minister referred to pensioners' heavy debts. Are not the Government responsible as they have imposed 10 per cent. increases in fuel costs in three consecutive years, thereby putting a considerable financial burden on pensioners? Does he agree that if they had not been faced with that extra cost they would not need subsidies?

Mr. Gray

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the steps that the Government have taken are far and away the most generous that have been taken to assist people who need help with their bills.