§ Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money is owed by consumers to the Northern Ireland Electricity Service and to the Gas Board, respectively; and whether he is aware of any difficulties in collecting arrears.
§ Mr. Moyle,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 376], gave the following information:
The Northern Ireland fuel undertakings estimate that total debt amounts to £8 million, of which £5.5 million is for electricity and £2.5 million is for gas. These figures differ from those given in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Woodall) on 29th January 1976—[Official Report, Vol. 904, c. 283.]—because estimating has been improved by the computerisation of accounts and because sums owed by consumers who have since moved have been included for the first time. I am aware that the Northern Ireland Electricity Service and the Belfast City Council Gas Department which are the principal fuel creditor bodies, face difficulties in applying normal sanctions for non-payment of accounts. Both bodies, however, are pursuing their debt problem with renewed vigour. I am examining ways in which firmer measures, such as those already in existence for the collection of other kinds of debt, can be applied to the recovery of these arrears and I shall make a further statement soon.