§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce measures to require the annual inspection of electricity cables. [26240]
360W
§ Mr. BattleInspections of a sample of electric lines and plant belonging to each Public Electricity Supplier are carried out annually under the provisions of section 30(2)(a) of the Electricity Act 1989 by the Department's Engineering Inspectorate.
The last annual inspection of electric lines and plant belonging to NORWEB plc took place in the Bolton/Wigan/Skelmersdale area on 26 and 27 August 1997.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce legislation to penalise electricity companies that fail to repair damaged cables within 24 hours. [26241]
§ Mr. BattleUnder Sections 39 and 40 of the Electricity Act 1989 the Director General of Electricity Supply has powers to set standards of performance in connection with the provision of electricity supply services by public electricity suppliers to tariff customers in individual cases and standards of overall performance by public electricity suppliers. He has used these powers to introduce in July 1991 Guaranteed Standards of Performance which cover a wide range of services, including one on restoring electricity supplies after faults. These Standards were revised in 1993 and 1995. Currently the Guaranteed Standard of Performance for restoring electricity supplies after faults lays down that customers are entitled to claim a payment if the electricity supply is not restored within 24 hours of a fault being reported. The payment is £40 for domestic customers and £100 for non-domestic customers for the first 24 hours and a further £20 for every additional 12 hour period during which the supply remains off. Customers are required to submit a claim in writing. The Director is currently consulting on a number of further changes which could lead to increased payments.