HC Deb 16 January 1981 vol 996 cc615-6W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will direct the London Electricity Board to take particular steps to identify consumers facing hardship in meeting electricity bills;

(2) if he will direct the London Electricity Board to ensure that its disconnection staff inquire into the circumstances of domestic consumers threatened with disconnection;

(a) Traffic Examiner Grades
Year Grade Complement Staff in post
1 April 1979 Supervising TE 8 8
Senior TE 49 49
TE 183 180
1 April 1980 Supervising TE 8 11
Senior TE 49 46
TE 161 160
1 April 1981 Supervising TE 8 *11
Senior TE 49 *46
TE 161 *151
* Estimated.

(3) if he will direct the London Electricity Board to discontinue its policy of refusing to admit to the fuel discount scheme any consumer whose debt exceeds £200.

Mr. Norman Lamont

No. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs) on 8 December, I have had discussions with the chairman of the London Electricity Board, but these issues are the responsibility of the board and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

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