§ 2. Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in encouraging the use of remote meter reading technology for electricity users.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Alastair Goodlad)There are promising developments in this field. The Electricity Council has recently received a report on the field trials of remote reading systems and as a result is now planning to proceed with the next stage of development, which is expected to lead to the installation of a large-scale pilot scheme.
§ Mr. BowdenI am encouraged by my hon. Friend's reply. Does he recognise the benefit that a remote meter reading scheme might have in places such as London, where there is a high turnover of the area boards' customers and where people are often not in when the meter reader comes to check their meters?
§ Mr. GoodladMy hon. Friend is correct about the potential value of remote meter reading. He will be pleased to know that it is intended that the proposed large-scale pilot scheme, which will involve 200,000 homes, will be in London.