§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, pursuant to his policy to promote the interests of small firms, he will seek to make arrangements with the electricity boards which would enable them to end the practice of requiring from small firms setting up in business deposits of up to £1,000 in advance of future electricity charges.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe electricity boards are not my responsibility and such deposits are a matter for them. I am, however, concerned that they, along with other monopoly suppliers, should whenever possible take into account the particular difficulties and needs of small firms. I am currently looking into the background to a number of complaints which I have received from small firms.