HC Deb 12 June 1989 vol 154 cc266-7W
Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will bring forward provisions in the Electricity Bill to enable electricity meters to be repositioned so that they are accessible for disabled people and to ensure that any charges for this service will be borne by the supplier;

(2) what provision he is proposing for the Electricity Bill to enable electricity meters to be adapted for use by disabled people;

(3) what provision he is proposing for the Electricity Bill to enable electricity meters to be installed in places that are accessible for disabled people.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The draft public electricity supply licence requires the licensee to produce a code of practice specifically aimed at the elderly and disabled. This code would cover special services available to these groups including such matters as the provision of special controls and adaptors for electrical appliances and meters and the placement of meters for convenient access. Where a meter is repositioned, the supplier would have the right to recover from the consumer any costs reasonably incurred. Community care grants are available from the social fund to those in receipt of income support to help with the cost of resiting meters to allow disabled people easier access.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provision he is proposing for the Electricity Bill to protect disabled people on life support systems from disconnection.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The electricity industry currently operates a voluntary code of practice which offers a number of protections against disconnection for consumers in difficulty, and makes special provision for the blind, severely sick and the disabled. The draft public electricity supply licence requires the licensee to produce a similar code to ensure that this approach continues after privatisation.