§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Energy why the review of the code of practice governing gas and electricity disconnections has been delayed; and when it is to be published.
§ Dr. John Cunningham:Adequate time has had to be allowed for full consultations with all the organisations involved, particularly those concerned with the operation of the code. This has taken longer than I would have wished. These consultations are now nearly complete and an announcement will be made very shortly.
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§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give a general direction to all gas and electricity boards to provide statistics on the number of domestic consumers who remain disconnected for long periods as a result of the non-payment of accounts:
(2) what estimate he is able to make of the number of domestic consumers of (a) gas and (b) electricity who remain disconnected for non-payment of accounts for periods of more than one month.
§ Dr. John Cunningham:A general direction is not appropriate in these circumstances. Both industries provide information of disconnections either regularly or on request to their consumer councils at national area or regional level. I am asking the chairmen to write to the hon. Member about the detailed information he is seeking. I expect the independent study of the working of the code of practice which I announced on 1st August—[Vol. 955, c. 297-98]—to consider this issue among others.