§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the Director General of OFFER and the chairmen of the regional electricity companies regarding the security of supply of electricity for space-heating and cooking to the elderly, the infirm and the very young during the current cold snap.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe code of practice operated by the regional electricity companies makes it clear that no 387W consumer in genuine difficulty with their payments will be disconnected, provided that they contact their regional electricity company and agree and keep to a payment arrangement. In addition, the Prime Minister announced on 7 February that cold weather payments to vulnerable groups in receipt of income support had been increased to £6 from 1 February and that the whole of the United Kingdom would qualify for the period from 1 to 7 February.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with(a) the chairmen of the regional electricity companies and (b) the Director General of Electricity regulation regarding the level of cut-offs in domestic electricity supply during the present cold snap.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given him today. The latest available 12-monthly figures show disconnections for non-payment of bills standing at their lowest level since records began in 1976.