§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, pursuant to his replies on disconnection of pensioners' electricity and gas supplies on Monday 16th February, he will now issue general directions to the gas and electricity industries to reconnect all pensioners' households at present disconnected.
§ Mr. BennNo. My statement on 16th February stressed that there had been very few cases of disconnection of pensioner households, and the request to the industries which I then announced was designed to remove the fear of future disconnection from old people who might otherwise be fearful of using the heat their health required during the remainder of this winter and spring. If, however, any cases deserving of reconsideration become known to the industries, I am sure they will be treated with all due sympathy.