HC Deb 04 March 1975 vol 887 c402W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money is outstanding in Northern Ireland for electricity as the result of the inability of officials to read meters in Republican-controlled areas.

Mr. Orme

None. It is understood that the Northern Ireland Electricity Service now has access to credit electricity meters in all areas. There is no significant number of prepayment electricity meters in Northern Ireland. There remains the problem of non-payment of bills by individual consumers which is not confined to particular areas, but which raises special problems in areas where disconnection of the supply is not practicable.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money is outstanding in Northern Ireland for gas as the result of the inability of officials to read meters and collect payments in Republican-controlled areas.

Mr. Orme

It is estimated that approximately £200,000 of debt is outstanding, mainly from gas consumers in predominantly Republican areas, owing to difficulties of access to prepayment meters and cash collection.