§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate discussions between the gas boards and the electricity boards designed to operate a pilot scheme in a limited area to examine the practicability of having one meter reader for both services.
§ Mr. EmeryNo. My hon. Friend will be aware that past studies have led to the conclusion that the organisational problems and the costs involved in joint meter reading would outweigh the likely benefits. Much as I was attracted to the concept of joint meter reading, I have now closely examined the problem again, and I am sorry to say that I cannot find reasons to suppose that further studies would upset the earlier general conclusions.