HC Deb 28 January 1994 vol 236 cc408-10W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the proposal for a reduction in voltage of electricity supplies; and what powers he has to stop it being introduced in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eggar

All EC countries are changing their low voltage supply systems to a nominal voltage of 230/400 volts to provide voltage harmonisation throughout the EC. My policy is to endorse this standardisation following extensive consultation.

This will remove a perceived barrier to trade and so further the objectives of the single market. Consumers will have greater choice and flexibility in the purchase and use of electrical applicances. The Secretary of State will be using his powers under the Electricity Act 1989 to amend the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 in order to effect this standardisation in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what savings will be made on consumer costs of electricity supply from France when the agreed reduction in voltage comes into effect.

Mr. Eggar

The change in voltage to a standardised nominal low voltage of 230/400 volts throughout the EC has no relevance to the cost of electricity supplies to or from France over the sub-sea cables. The electricity exchanged with France is done at extremely high voltage direct current and the costs associated with those arrangements are not a function of consumer voltages and will not be affected by the proposed standardisation.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation took place with(a) industry, (b) domestic users and (c) the electricity supply industry before the reduction in voltage was accepted.

Mr. Eggar

Consultations took place with 36 different organisations representing the United Kingdom electricity companies, equipment manufacturers and consumers.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what increased costs will attend consumer costs of electricity supplies from the United Kingdom and France when the agreed reduction in voltage comes into effect.

Mr. Eggar

I do not expect that consumers of electricity will face any increases in the cost of their electricity as a result of standardisation.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what compensation will be paid to industrial users of electricity who have purchased heating equipment appropriate to their factory size and are now required to buy extra equipment to heat the same space after the reduction in voltage.

Mr. Eggar

It is not intended to pay compensation to industrial users of electricity in respect of the purchasing of additional heating equipment. The performance of some electrical appliances will be reduced in making the change to 230 volts from 240, but the effect will be minimal and will be offset by the wider benefits to consumers of standardisation.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the reduction in voltage in electricity supplies agreed with the European Community comes into effect.

Mr. Eggar

The change from a nominal supply voltage of 240 to 230 volts will come into effect on 1 January 1995. An amendment to the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 will be needed to take effect from the same date.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reasons underlay his decision to agree to reduce the voltage on electricity supplies from 400 volts to 280 volts and from 240 volts to 230 volts for domestic purposes.

Mr. Eggar

In 1988, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation proposed the harmonisation of the existing low voltage supplies in the EC countries. In Great Britain the majority of the manufacturers consulted were strongly in favour of a move to 230 volts in order to avoid confusion within the Community, while providing the considerable advantages of single product ranges and certifying procedures for the Community as a whole.

This move is seen as a means of optimising designs leading to simpler production procedures, and uniformity of safety standards as well as reducing barriers to trade.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the increase in hypothermia consequent on the reduced output of heating equipment because of the reduction in voltage.

Mr. Eggar

The effect on output of electrical heating equipment in making the change to a nominal voltage of 230 volts in accordance with the time scales and tolerances required for EC voltage harmonisation will be insignificant and is therefore not a relevant consideration in the incidence of hypothermia.