Clause 113
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Vera Baird (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Redcar, Labour)
That is undoubtedly a very good point to reflect on. It is nearly impossible to disconnect someone’s water. My noble Friend Baroness Ashton talked in the other place—it was in a different connection, but linked to the Bill—about the need to negotiate and to engage water suppliers, because they do not have much recourse to recover their debts, as they never can disconnect. In some circumstances—I am not sure when or whether it is with or without a court order—the other utilities can do that. In general, that is an interesting question, and one that we should consider. Within the confines of the Bill, however, we can prevent the gas or electricity supplier from cutting off supplies while the person is protected because they are paying under the arrangement they have come to with their creditors. From the point of view of the Bill, the situation is rock solid, but more widely, my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud is quite right and we should look at the issue.