§ Mr. Gledhillasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the importance of encouraging economy in the use of fuel and power and of the benefits now accruing to electrical power supply authorities under agreements providing for increased charges based on the higher cost of fuel, he will ensure that these authorities pass on to their users the whole of the saving due to their lower consumption, whether or not this saving reduces the cost of the supply taken to an amount less than the minimum charge provided for in their agreement.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI presume my hon. Friend is referring to contracts between electricity supply undertakings and power consumers which provide for a guarantee of minimum consumption or 675W minimum expenditure by the consumer. The terms of these contracts vary considerably, and I am afraid that it would be impracticable to give general directions on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. If, however, he knows of any such contracts which appear to be causing hardship, I will readily arrange for the Electricity Commissioners to investigate them.