HC Deb 23 June 1964 vol 697 cc55-6W
Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the gas and electricity boards to conduct a survey of caravan sites where gas and electricity is used to ascertain whether, and to what extent, the overcharging for power is taking place by landlords' own installations of private meters operating from their main meters;

(2) if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the gas and electricity boards to conduct surveys of cities where, in large flats and old property which has been converted into flats, landlords are overcharging for power by means of installing their own meters in rooms which are operating from main meters installed by them.

Mr. Peyton

No. As resale prices for gas have been fixed it is possible for people to ascertain whether they are being charged correctly. In respect of electricity, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Barnett) on 13th February.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power if he will refer to the Consumer Council the question of overcharging for gas and electricity by landlords in flats and caravans by using meters which are tampered with to give false readings, with a view to their considering ways and means of combating this exploitation.

Mr. Peyton

The law requires that all gas meters must be certified as accurate. Electricity resale meters do not have to be so certified. The Consumer Council announced on 28th May that it is investigating the problem of fixing resale prices for electricity and I understand that it would like to be informed of cases involving apparently false or inaccurate readings on meters installed for resale.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the gas and electricity boards to refuse the piping and wiring of power into flats and caravans from their own authorised mains meter unless a similar approved meter is installed which will be designed to give correct readings for all power used.

Mr. Peyton

No.