§ Mr. ParryTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement as to why there is no code of practice governing the disconnection of commercial premises by electricity companies.
§ Mr. EggarThis is a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply. Disconnection of premises both commercial and domestic are covered by provisions contained in schedule 6 of the Electricity Act 1989.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many warrants in respect of electricity disconnection have been issued by Manweb during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarNeither my Department nor that of the Lord Chancellor keeps records of the number of warrants issued to individual companies in respect of electricity disconnection.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what notice must be given to electricity customers before an electricity company may apply for a warrant for disconnection of electricity.
§ Mr. EggarUnder schedule 6 of the Electricity Act 1989, an electricity company can disconnect premises no earlier than 20 working days after the issue of a bill in the case of a domestic customer. For non-domestic customers, the period is 15 working days. In both instances, two working days notice is required before disconnection occurs.
The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 does not require notice to be given to customers before application by an electricity company to a magistrate for a warrant of entry. All companies do, however, notify customers that this may happen where a bill remains unpaid and there is the possibility of disconnection occurring.