asked the Minister of Power how many applications he received during 1960 and the first six months of 1961 for the determination by independent meter examiners of disputes occasioned by consumers' complaints concerning the accuracy of meters supplied by electricity boards.

Two hundred and ninety-nine, Sir.

In spite of the figure which my right hon. Friend has given, will he, none the less, ask the Board to make this facility or right more widely known than it is at present? I personally have had many complaints about meters in the correspondence of constituents who have just not known that this right of appeal exists?

The Board already has standing instructions to tell consumers individually if they dispute the accuracy of their meters of their right to have a meter determination, but Boards are often able to settle cases satisfactorily without resort to determination. I think that this is the most practical way of dealing with the matter.