§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Energy which electricity boards are not implementing the full additional flexibility for industrial energy costs as announced in the Budget; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI am advised that all area electricity boards have offered the new category of load management terms included in the generating board's bulk supply tariff for 1981–82 to suitable customers. Nine area boards have identified special agreement customers able to benefit from the further flexibility announced in the Budget. The London and Southern electricity boards do not consider any of their special agreement customers are able to benefit from additional flexibility beyond the new load management terms. The South Eastern electricity board has decided that it could not justify further flexibility beyond that which is already available to its industrial customers. The board is still in discussion with four large load consumers about terms for this year's supply.