HC Deb 11 March 1981 vol 1000 cc337-8W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to make it illegal for a fuel board to disconnect supply without first obtaining a court order to do so and to make it obligatory for a fuel board seeking such a court order to show that it has complied fully with the code of practice.

Mr. Norman Lamont

No. The fuel industries exercise their powers to disconnect supply with due care and discretion under the code of practice they have voluntarily adopted. The code is currently being reviewed and, as I have made clear, I am maintaining a close interest both in the progress of this review and in the manner in which the boards operate the code.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a general direction to the gas and electricity industries that the code of practice on disconnections is sent to every consumer who is given a final notice prior to disconnection.

Mr. Norman Lamont

No. I understand the industries already ensure that the provisions of the code of practice concerning disconnections are drawn to the attention of all consumers concerned in advance of disconnections being carried out.