asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that domestic consumers of electric light from the Electricity Supply Board have had their supplies reduced by 50 per cent., he will in the general public interest make a special recommendation to the board to have the weekly rental payable reduced by 50 per cent.

I am not prepared to do as the Deputy suggests. The fixed charge or weekly rental is designed to cover the fixed costs, which are not affected by a reduction in consumption, and consequently a reduction in the fixed charge cannot be made.

Is not this the position, that the people who pay on the valuation basis will have to pay, no matter what supplies of electricity they consume, whereas the people who pay on a consumption basis, by unit only, are getting a proportionate reduction in cost?

That is so, but the fixed charge is related to the cost of providing a supply and it is payable whether a supply is taken or not.

Will the Minister consider the suggestion that at least for the present period everybody should be put on a unit consumption basis?

Electricity is already being provided at a loss.

Is it not a fact that, in addition to the valuation basis, there is a fixed charge as well in some cases?

For those who elect to take a supply on that basis, yes.