§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has received about the number of electricity consumers who remain disconnected for long periods; how frequently this information is provided; and whether he will publish the most recent figures for each area board in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI understand from the Electricity Council that its best 15W and most recent estimate is that 16,370 domestic consumers remained disconnected for more than a month in the year ending 31 March 1979. This information is estimated annually but more frequent data may be provided by individual area boards at the request of their consultative councils. A breakdown of the 1979 estimate by area boards is as follows:
London 1,000 South-Eastern 540 Southern 330 South-Western 250 Eastern 990 East Midlands 1,110 Midlands 1,470 South Wales 710 MANWEB 2,300 Yorkshire 3,000 North-Eastern 1,990 North Western 2,680 16,370
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has received about the number of gas consumers who remain disconnected for long periods; how frequently such information is provided; and whether he will publish the most recent figures for each area board in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe British Gas Corporation supplies my Department with the number of disconnections made each month for non-payment of accounts. I do not receive information on the periods of disconnection.