§ Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a general direction to the gas end electricity boards to change the present system whereby they charge customers for repairs when their meters have been broken into.
§ Mr. John SmithThe industries inform me that where damage to a meter has been caused in the furtherance of theft by someone not connected with the consumer's household they normally waive their right to require the consumer to bear the cost of repair or replacement. I believe this practice to be reasonable, but if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind the appropriate chairman will look into it.