asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether he is aware that some electricity authorities in the country base their tariffs substantially on the rate- able value of a consumer's house with the result that many persons find that although they consume and burn less electricity than their neighbours they have to pay more; and whether he will take steps at an early date to ban such tariffs, with a view to encouraging greater economy in the use of electricity.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, the methods of charging for electricity have recently been under expert examination but we must wait until the industry is nationalised before these tariff anomalies can be successfully tackled.

In view of the extraordinary urgency of this problem in this country, may I ask my hon. Friend to make representations now to the local authorities that to deal effectively with the problem, the matter has to be dealt with before it is too late?

Not only local authorities are concerned. It is quite out of the question, at short notice, to interfere with millions of private agreements.