Lamb slams erroneous energy supply transfers

3.09.00pm GMT Thu 8th Jan 2004

Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb, has taken up the case of his constituent Raymond Eaton of Holt, who on moving to a new house received a letter from Powergen addressed to 'The Occupier' and thanking him for choosing the company to deliver his gas supply. Mr Eaton had never requested a transfer to Powergen from Southern Electric, with whose service he was entirely satisfied (and who still supply his electricity.)

An erroneous transfer is when a householder's electricity or gas supply is transferred from one company to another without the individual's permission. Once the transfer has occurred, there is very little that can be done about it.

"The problem of erroneous transfers needs to be ended, once and for all," said Norman Lamb.

"Cases such as Mr Eaton's are totally unacceptable. This ridiculous chain of events demonstrates that the Government's efforts to persuade energy companies to clean up their act are yet to fully eradicate this major inconvenience. I have written to Powergen, Southern Electric and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about Mr Eaton's case. Erroneous transfers simply must not be allowed to continue."