§ 44. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, following the suicide of Mrs. Ann Hemmingway at Coventry several weeks ago due to an inflated electricity bill, submitted by the East Midlands Electricity Board, and his subsequent undertaking to discuss with the Electricity Council and other interested bodies the practice of submitting estimated accounts, what has been the outcome of his talks; and whether he will make a statement on his future policy.
§ Mr. John DaviesMy hon. Friend the Minister for Industry has discussed the boards' billing and collection procedures with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Electricity Council. They told him that the industry was reviewing its procedures in the light of the unhappy death of Mrs. Hemmingway and of the recent report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries on Relations with the Public. These procedures are matters for the boards to settle in consultation with their consultative councils but I shall be kept informed of any changes resulting from the industry's review.