asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to electricity boards to request public hearings when they apply for warrants in order to enter the homes of consumers to disconnect supplies.

The manner in which electricity boards' applications for warrants are dealt with is a matter for the magistrates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to electricity boards to involve welfare and social organisations where the possibility of disconnection of electricity supplies to a consumer arises.

There is already good liaison between electricity boards and the welfare services, and discussions are in progress to see whether the working arrangements can be improved.