§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will announce his decision regarding the connection charges made to private developers by public utilities for the installation of gas and electricity on new housing developments; and for how long this issue has been under consideration by his Department and its predecessors.
§ Mr. RidleyI understand that complaints were received following an agreement reached in 1956 between electricity boards and local authorities on the basis of charges for new electricity connections. No solution to this problem acceptable to all parties has so far been found. We shall make an announcement as soon as we are able.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from representatives of private housebuilders for a meeting with the Minister for Industry regarding electricity and gas connection charges for private housing developments; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Federation of Registered House-Builders wrote to my hon. Friend in November asking for a meeting. They were told that he did not feel a meeting at that stage would be useful but that he would bear in mind the possibility when further progress in his study of this matter had been made.