Written question asked by Martin Caton (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 November 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 29 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the protection afforded to vulnerable consumers at risk of disconnection by their suppliers under provisions for entry under a Justice's Warrant in the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, as amended by the Gas Act 1995 and the Utilities Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to 'Protecting Vulnerable Customers from Disconnection'.

Answer: Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the protection afforded to vulnerable consumers at risk of disconnection by their suppliers under provisions for entry under a Justice's Warrant in the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, as amended by the Gas Act 1995 and the Utilities Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [199585] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, as amended, includes extensive warrants procedures that a supplier must follow if it wishes to enter premises to disconnect any customer. These procedures are under the jurisdiction of the courts. In addition, the arrangements set out in the Energy Retail Association's September 2004 report, "Protecting Vulnerable Customers from Disconnection", which have been put in place by the gas and electricity suppliers, should ensure that, as far as possible, vulnerable customers are not disconnected.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 199585; 428 c30W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Consumers Disconnections Powers of entry Protection Natural gas Utilities
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk