§ Lord Tanlawasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many disconnections to private dwellings were made during 1980 as a result of boards representatives being unable to read: (a) electricity meters, (b) gas meters; and what percentage of private dwellings in the United Kingdom have external access for meter-reading to: (a) electricity meters, (b) gas meters; and what is the average cost per call, including correspondence, extra postage and loss of interest, to each board for failing to gain access to a private dwelling to read: (a) electricity meters, (b) gas meters; and What is the average cost per call in the United Kingdom for reading: (a) electricity meters, (b) gas meters.
The Earl of GowrieThese matters are the responsibility of the gas and electricity industries and I am asking the chairmen of the Electricity Council and British Gas Corporation to write to the noble Lord.