§ 6. Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will have discussions with the chairman of the Electricity Council about disconnection of supply.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMy right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Electricity Council from time to time as necessary but he has no immediate plans to discuss this matter with him.
§ Mr. CoxI note that reply, but is the Minister not aware that disconnection is a real problem because, despite all the supposed promises and the supposed codes of conduct, many people, especially the elderly and disabled, often face the disconnection of supplies? Is it not time that, at local area level, clear guidelines are given before disconnections take place? Will the Minister seek to make this point to the chairman of the Electricity Council?
§ Mr. ShawI understand the hon. Gentleman's anxiety about disconnections. He and the House will be pleased to note that the volume of disconnections this year is about 25 per cent. down on last year. In the first quarter of this year a further 10 per cent. reduction took place compared with the first quarter of last year. The electricity industry is seeking to reduce the difficulties. The Electricity Consumers Council is monitoring the new code of practice and is specifically examining the problem.
§ Mr. CartwrightDoes the Minister accept that when the procedures under the code of practice and the fuel direct scheme break down families can be disconnected and remain so for lengthy periods? Does he accept that that must cause hardship? What steps is he taking to establish the extent of the problem and to ensure that when consumers are disconnected they are not forgotten?
§ Mr. ShawThe hon. Gentleman is right. I appreciate the extreme hardship that is caused by delays in reconnection. The Electricity Consumers Council will be looking at that problem when it examines the operation not only of disconnection and the duress that some people must suffer, but the speed with which they can be reconnected.