§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report the number of disconnections of supply which have been implemented by the CEGB and the British Gas Corporation in each of their regions during the past six months to the latest available date, and comparative figures for the same period in the previous year.
§ Mr. BennIn the six months ending 31st March 1976 the electricity area boards in England and Wales disconnected the supply from 59,773 premises Figures for the six months ending 31st March 1975 and for the separate areas are not readily available, but I will ask the Chairman of the Electricity Council to write to my hon. Friend.
The number of disconnections for nonpayment of gas accounts by industrial, commercial and domestic consumers in the half years in question in each of their regions is stated by the British Gas Corporation as follows:
Region 6 months ending 31.3.75 31.3.76 Scottish 786 1,006 Northern 1,992 1,609 North-West 4,013 3,230 North-East 1,316 583 East Midlands 1,246 1,162 West Midlands 1,532 1,742 Wales 1,094 1,022 Eastern 935 661 North Thames 746 1,204 South-East 1,217 1,037 Southern 442 610 South-West 268 276 15,587 14,142