§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many domestic consumers of (a) gas and (b) electricity remained disconnected as a result of nonpayment of bills at the most recent convenient date.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamI regret that the information on disconnections of gas is not available in the form requested. However, I am informed that in the month of February 1977 total disconnections—domestic and non-domestic—for non-payment of bills amounted to 1,996. Of these approximately 13 per cent. were reconnected within 14 days.
As for electricity, on 28th February 1977, 19,554 domestic consumers were without electricity because of disconnections due to non-payment of bills. I am informed that an average of 60 pet cent. of consumers disconnected are reconnected within two days, this figure rising to 70 per cent. after one week.