The following link provides to a statement given by Minister of State Charles Hendry on smart meter installation: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111129/text/111129w0004.htm
29 Nov 2011 : Column 903W
Energy: Meters
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to ensure smart meters are provided to all residential gas and electricity customers. [82634]
Charles Hendry: The Government will place regulatory obligations on energy suppliers that will require them to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters for all their domestic and smaller non-domestic customers by the completion date in 2019.
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether households will be able to choose not to have a smart meter installed if they have concerns about the health effects of exposure to radio frequency, such as non-thermal health effects. [82918]
Charles Hendry: We expect the benefits of smart meters, such as providing consumers with control over their energy usage and an end to estimated bills, will lead to demand for them from consumers. To ensure that all customers are able to benefit from smart meters, we will require suppliers to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters. However, we recognise that there may be some circumstances where it would not be practical to install a smart meter. We have made it clear that we do not expect suppliers to seek an entry warrant simply to fit a smart meter and it will not be an offence for householders to refuse to accept a smart meter.
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 491W, on meters: radio frequencies, what recent steps he has taken to alleviate concerns of people who experience non-thermal health effects of exposure to electromagnetic microwave radiation. [82920]
Charles Hendry: We have continued to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the smart meters programme. For example, the consultation on the technical specification of smart meters was sent to a wide variety of stakeholders for their consideration, including those that have an interest in health issues. The draft technical specification includes reference to the fact that, to be compliant, a smart meter must comply with the internationally agreed guidelines set out by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
We also continue to respond to letters and inquiries as they come through to us, including those from members of the public or stakeholder bodies who have questions about electromagnetic sensitivity and smart meters.