§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of Seeboard's investment in its local distribution network and fault monitoring system with particular reference to the Sutton and Cheam area. [5389]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 25 June 1997]: The Engineering Inspectorate of the DTI carries out an inspection of each Public Electricity Supplier once a year, which includes a review of developments and new equipment applications in relation to maintaining compliance with the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 as amended. An inspection of installations in the Sutton and Cheam area was conducted in 1992. I am not aware of any change in policy by Seeboard as to the means of satisfying its obligations to comply with the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 as amended.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will seek a report from the chairman of Seeboard on the reasons for the interruptions of supply over the last six months in the Hurstcourt Road and Fairlands Avenue areas of the Sutton and Cheam parliamentary constituency. [5390]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 25 June 1997]: The Engineering Inspectorate of the DTI is aware of several unrelated failures in electricity supply this month in the Sutton and Cheam area, some of which have been due to damage to underground cables caused by other parties, and is investigating the circumstances with Seeboard. The local Office of Electricity Regulation is aware of recent events in the area.