§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wood Green on 10 November, if he will specify what definition of "satisfactory payment arrangements" has been given to local officers of his Department; and what representations he has made to electricity boards and gas boards to prevent disconnections in circumstances where substantial amounts of arrears still exist.
§ Mr. NewtonThese arrangements are a matter for the individual consumers and the fuel boards. The boards have agreed to take the necessary action to follow up these cases under the provisions for payment arrangements laid down in their code of practice, including, where it is safe and practical, the installations of slot meters. The Department will maintain close liaison with the fuel boards to seek to ensure that the transition is as trouble-free as possible.