§ 71. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to the suicide of a lady in Coventry, who received a bill for electricity supplies, inflated by the electricity board to draw attention to her overdue account, whether he will issue a general direction to electricity boards to cease such practices forthwith.
§ 76. Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether, in view of the death of Mrs. Ann Hemingway, an aged Coventry widow, who, following the submission to her of an inflated bill for electricity designed to expedite payment, took her own life, as was established at the coroner's inquest, he will issue a general direction to electricity boards to ensure that the practice of submitting inflated bills to customers ceases forthwith.
§ Sir J. EdenI fully share the hon. Members' distress at the tragic death of Mrs. Hemingway. The East Midlands Board is investigating the case and will be submitting a report to me. Also, the East Midlands Consultative Council has confirmed that, as provided for in the statutory procedures, it is discussing with the board the problems arising from esti- 15W mated accounts. It is open to them to make representations to the Electricity Council and to me. Given the statutory procedures applicable, I doubt whether a direction would be appropriate.