§ Mr. Terry DavisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were employed in the electricity division of the Department of Energy on 1 July 1990.
§ Mr. EggarOne hundred and thirteen people were employed in the Department's electricity divisions as at 1 July 1990.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend legislation so as to allow electricity companies to establish that premises are lawfully occupied before being compelled to connect supply.
§ Mr. EggarThe obligation to supply electricity derives from section 16 of the Electricity Act 1989. Any dispute arising under that section may be referred to the Director General of Electricity Supply. The Government have no plans to amend this legislation.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the Director General of Electricity Supply concerning his decision of 7 July on the target real rate of return on assets and annual maximum price change formula on domestic electricity prices via the cost passed through mechanism.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 13 July 1992]: I have consultations with the Director General of Electricity Supply from time to time on a range of issues. Licence conditions, including the price controls, are a matter for the director general.