§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, when the special 11-hour rate for users of electric storage heaters was eliminated in the spring of 1969, the changed conditions applied to new consumers only; and whether all existing contracts of supply were honoured.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am advised by the Electricity Council that when the 11 and the 15 hour off-peak tariffs ceased to be available to new customers from April 1, 1970, they continued to be available for installations already being used under those tariffs.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, while I am glad to have that Answer, may I ask the Minister whether he considers that these contracts were honoured because the Electricity Council felt it was the correct way to treat customers or because they were in any way regarded as special contracts?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I should have thought normal commercial considerations and legal obligations were the basis of the decision here.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord.
§ LORD PEDDIEMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend what is the longest term available for contractual tariff arrangements with the user?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, that is an interesting point, but a different one. If the noble Lord cares to put down a Question, I will try to answer it.