HL Deb 30 July 1985 vol 467 cc157-9

3.1 p.m.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, further to their answer to the Baroness Burton of Coventry on 20th June (col. 362), they have requested all electricity boards to give publicity to maximum charges permitted for the resale of electricity to tenants; and whether they will recommend to the boards the use of display advertisements in publications carrying "accommodation for rent" advertisements.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, as I explained to the noble Baroness on 20th June, the Government are carefully studying the director general's report. His recommendations have significant implications which are being considered by the several departments concerned and the Government will make a further statement as soon as possible.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, that gets us no further and does not answer the Question on the Order Paper. Would the Minister be kind enough to look at what I asked him? Does he recall that he said on 20th June that he could not do various things because they required primary legislation? Is the Minister further aware that to advise the electricity boards to give prominence to advertisements does not require primary legislation, and is he further aware that in Column 362 of the Official Report he told the House that one would hope that all the electricity boards would take note of the suggestion that further notice should be given of these electricity charges? Why are the Government prepared to do nothing about this, whether it requires legislation or whether it does not?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I recall what I said on 20th June because I looked it up again last night. It certainly would not be right for the Government to act on one of the director general's individual recommendations before making a clear assessment of the overall report. As I said in reply to the noble Baroness on 20th June, this crosses departmental frontiers and it will be some little while before a full assessment of the director general's report has been made. We can then give advice.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his Answer is thoroughly unsatisfactory? Is he further aware that there is nothing whatsoever to stop the Government from requesting the electricity authorities to do exactly what is suggested in this Question; and on his reference to inter-departmental difficulties that he really ought to refer to his noble friend Lord Young of Graffham in order that he may read Burdens on Business?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, even were we to do such as the noble Lord suggests it would in fact serve no useful purpose at all, because the boards send their bills to landlords and not to tenants.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, is the Minister seriously telling the House that, as some of the electricity boards already give this type of information, there is any reason why the Government should not request all the boards to do so? Is he really saying that that runs counter to all the departments which might be involved in primary legislation?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I did not say that. What I said was that we do not think it right to pick out of a very complicated report one particular item and deal with it. We have to take the report in its entirety. I think, however, that the noble Baroness should be aware—indeed, I feel very sure that she is aware—that generally each area board prepares an explanatory leaflet in consultation with the local electricity consultative council and that a leaflet is usually available free from showrooms in the board's area. There are a number of boards, and somewhat different practices in each board area, but generally that information is available.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, may I ask a final supplementary question? Does the Minister feel that when we come back from the Summer Recess, which return is some considerable time away, the Government might have got a little more courage and be prepared to help people who are affected by the fraudulent way in which some landlords treat their customers on the resale of electricity?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, the Government are not without courage, as they have demonstrated in a number of measures over the last few years, to the great benefit of everybody. Secondly, the noble Baroness will be aware that an aggrieved individual has recourse through the courts and should take the action which is available to him and not always rely upon Government to fish him out.