HL Deb 16 July 1974 vol 353 cc1005-7

3.7 p.m.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement concerning electricity rates for night storage heating.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (LORD BALOGH)

My Lords, as I indicated to this House on June 27, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy made an announcement in another place on June 20 that he had asked the Chairman of the Electricity Council to examine urgently what adjustment could be made to give relief to the domestic consumer on the off-peak rates. He indicated then that his aim would be to see the previous percentage relationship between off-peak and standard rates re-restored and the necessary adjustment implemented as soon as possible. This examination of the whole problem gives rise to a number of very complex issues which the Government are discussing with the industry and I am not at present able to report further on them. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has, however, undertaken to make a further Statement before the Summer Recess.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, the noble Lord keeps making long statements and repeating what I have said to him. Is he aware that I have been wating three weeks for an answer? Is he further aware that he has answered neither my Question of June 25, nor that of to-day for the same reason? Because of this long delay, and because of the interest shown in both Houses, can the noble Lord tell me the actual day on which I can put down a Question so that this House may have the benefit of the Statement of his right honourable friend?

LORD BALOGH

My Lords, I am sure my noble friend Lady Burton will not have to be told when to put down Questions. I tried to answer her Questions on June 13, 17, 25 and 27. I wrote to her on June 28 and July 10. I can only repeat that these questions are quite complicated, though she will not believe me, and therefore I must ask very humbly for her patience, which has not been shown hitherto.

BARONESS BACON

My Lords, can my noble friend say what are the complications which have not applied hitherto?

LORD BALOGH

My Lords, they have applied hitherto.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, while accepting that the noble Lord is my noble friend, may I ask him whether he is aware that it is impossible for a Back Bencher to know when a Statement will be made if not so informed? I am asking my noble friend whether he or the Lord Privy Seal can please let me know the date on which this Question can be put down.

LORD BALOGH

My Lords, I undertake to do that.

LORD SLATER

My Lords, will the noble Lord tell me when the position changed? When did the C.E.G.B. cease to regard these supplies during off-peak periods as wastage? The attitude of the C.E.G.B. has always been that during off-peak periods, the electricity supplied was wastage and therefore commanded reduced charges.

LORD BALOGH

My Lords, I will very carefully study what my noble friend has said in Hansard, when available, and undertake to write to him.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether we are likely to get a decision reached sometime before winter sets in?

LORD BALOGH

My Lords, as I said, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has undertaken to make a further Statement before the Summer Recess. He gave this undertaking several weeks ago.