Written Answers
Electricity And Gas Meter Reading
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many disconnections to private dwellings were made during 1980 as a result of boards representatives being unable to read: (
a) electricity meters, ( b) gas meters; and what percentage of private dwellings in the United Kingdom have external access for meter-reading to: ( a) electricity meters, ( b) gas meters; and what is the average cost per call, including correspondence, extra postage and loss of interest, to each board for failing to gain access to a private dwelling to read: ( a) electricity meters, ( b) gas meters; and What is the average cost per call in the United Kingdom for reading: ( a) electricity meters, ( b) gas meters.
These matters are the responsibility of the gas and electricity industries and I am asking the chairmen of the Electricity Council and British Gas Corporation to write to the noble Lord.
The Concessionary Coal Scheme
asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the value of fuel supplied to mineworkers, Coal Board officials and other beneficiaries in each of the years 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81, what was the number of concessionaries in each of those years and whether these supplies rank as "benefits in kind" for purposes of taxation.
The details of the concessionary coal scheme are negotiated by the National Coal Board and the trade unions in the coal industry and I am asking the chairman to write to the noble Lord on this point. Concessionary coal or cash received in lieu are not regarded as income for the purposes of taxation.
The Common Fund Agreement
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have ratified the Common Fund Agreement planned to come into operation in March 1981; if not, why not; and which of the 91 nations needed to ratify the Agreement have done so.
The Common Fund Agreement will enter into force after 31st March 1982 if it has by then been ratified by 90 states accounting for two-thirds of directly contributed capital. One state, Indonesia, had ratified the Agreement up to 1st April. The United Kingdom is not able to ratify the Agreement until the necessary parliamentary procedures, such as the approval of an Immunities and Privileges Order, have been completed. We shall also wish to act in consultation with other members of the European Community.
Deer: Review Of Scottish Law
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to review the Scottish legislation relating to deer.
Yes. We have today sent copies of a consultative paper to interested organisations, inviting their comments by 30th June. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. When replies are received we shall consider what legislative measures are required. Comments are also invited from interested members of the public. Copies of the consultative paper may be obtained on request from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.House adjourned at nine minutes past eleven o'clock.