§ 123. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he requested the British Electricity Authority to increase domestic tariffs during next winter; what reply he has received; and why he proposes that existing contractual obligations should be ignored.
§ Mr. RobensIn reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 30th July. As regards the second part of the Question, we have been informed by the British Electricity Authority that the area boards have decided to give effect to the request of my right hon. Friend that a seasonal adjustment should be made in the charges for electricity. This would mean that instead of a uniform running charge under the two-part tariffs throughout the year, the charge for the three winter months should be relatively higher and for the other months in the year relatively lower. I understand that details of the actual adjustments which the area boards propose to make will be announced later 33W this week. In reply to the third part of the Question, no such proposal has been made.