§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on(a) the use of 2 in 1 metering by Swalec and Welsh Water and 455W (b) the Director General of Electricity Supply's view that Swalec should take all reasonable steps to discontinue use of these meters; [62272]
(2) how many homes in each United Kingdom region have 2 in 1 meters; and if he will make a statement. [62273]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 3 December 1998]: The 2 in 1 metering scheme is a trial one being run by the Hyder Group (Swalec and Welsh Water). I understand that it is currently confined to 3,000 customers who join the scheme on a voluntary basis. Swalec have issued proceedings seeking a judicial direction that their scheme is lawful, not contrary to the Electricity Act 1989 and that the Director General of Electricity Supply has no powers to issue enforcement proceedings under the Act. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further while this process is under way.