HC Deb 01 February 1985 vol 72 cc341-2W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the working of the fuel industries' code of practice on disconnections.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The operation of the code is being monitored by the Electricity and Gas Consumers' Councils. Their reports to date indicate that the code is working satisfactorily.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the trend in the number of (a) gas and (b) electricity disconnections over the last four quarters for which figures are available.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I have asked the chairmen of the British Gas Corporation and the Electricity Council to provide the figures direct to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what response he has made to the report on fuel disconnections by the Policy Studies Institute.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Stevens) on 29 March 1982 at column25.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce legislation to remove the power of disconnection from the gas and electricity supply industries and to confer responsibility for such decisions either upon the county courts or some other arbitration body.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

No.