§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of 11KV switchgear owned by area electricity boards is affected by operational bans for safety reasons.
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§ Mr. WakehamThis information is not available to my Department. However, I will ask the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member in due course.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is taking to secure improved safety in 11KV switchgear operated by area electricity boards.
§ Mr. WakehamThe Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 require the area electricity boards to notify my Department of all disruptive failures of 11KV switchgear, as well as any incident which could have given rise to injury, death, fire or explosion. The engineering inspectorate within my Department monitors all such reportable incidents and may investigate as necessary on my behalf to ensure that the operation and maintenance of such equipment by area electricity boards is as safe as reasonably practicable.