asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what he attributes the differences in the percapita levels of outstanding debt in respect of gas and electricity bills owed by consumers in Northern Ireland as compared with consumers in the rest of the United Kingdom.

This is a complex problem, but at least two important elements can be distinguished. First, there is the effect of civil disorder in creating a climate in which those people who wish, for whatever reason, to avoid paying their fuel bills are to some extent enabled to do so. Despite the greatly improved security situation, it is still not always practicable to disconnect supply to electricity or gas consumers for non-payment. Second, the problem has been aggravated in recent years by the steep increase in electricity and gas prices. Gas is now two to three times more expensive than in Great Britain and domestic electricity is on average 20 per cent. dearer.