HC Deb 12 June 1934 vol 290 cc1661-3
Dr. BURGIN

I beg to move, in page 9, line 33, at the end, to insert: Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be taken to prevent the additional charge for the hire of a prepayment meter and any fittings used in connection therewith being calculated according to the number of therms or the quantity of gas supplied through the meter. Doubts have been expressed as to whether Sub-section (2) of Clause 7 affects the practice and indeed the requirement of charging for the hire of a pre-payment meter and fittings by means of a charge per therm added to the price of the gas, and this Amendment is proposed to make it quite clear that this practice is not affected by the Sub-section, and that it is the price of the gas only which has to be the same, whether supplied through a pre-payment meter or any other meter. They are words of clarity, which do not affect any question of principle.

10.24 p.m.

Mr. CLARRY

There is an Amendment in my name immediately following which is practically on the same lines, except that I think it makes the position even clearer than the Amendment proposed by the Parliamentary Secretary: 'Provided that nothing in this section shall preclude any undertakers from charging for the hire of a prepayment meter, and fittings to be used therewith, a sum of money calculated according to the number of therms supplied through such meter, which charge shall include the providing, letting, fixing, repairing, and maintenance of the meter and fittings or of the meter (as the case may be) and the costs of collection and other costs incurred by the undertakers in connection therewith. There should be no doubt in the minds of consumers or undertakers as to what they are enterting into in the way of a contract, or what they ace going to get, and the object of my Amendment is to make perfectly clear the meaning of the word "hire." I sincerely hope that the Parliamentary Secretary will see his way to accept mine as being clearer and more desirable from the point of view of gas interests, both consumers and undertakers.

Dr. BURGIN

The Amendment which the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) is proposing quite unwittingly——

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) was speaking to his Amendment, when he should have been speaking to the one which is now before the House.

10.26 p.m.

Mr. CLARRY

I beg to move, in page 9, line 33, at the end, to insert: Provided that nothing in this section shall preclude any undertakers from charging for the hire of a prepayment meter, and fittings to be used therewith, a sum of money calculated according to the number of therms supplied through such meter, which charge shall include the providing, letting, fixing, repairing, and maintenance of the meter and fittings or of the meter (as the case may be), and the costs of collection and other costs incurred by the undertakers in connection therewith. I was anxious to speak before the other Amendment was put, because, if mine had been accepted, that Amendment would have been unnecessary. I move mine formally now, and perhaps we may get some assurance from the Parliamentary Secretary on the subject of the additional clarity which I hope he will find embodied in my Amendment.

Mr. ROSS TAYLOR

I beg to second the Amendment.

10.27 p.m.

Dr. BURGIN

There is no difference between myself and the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry). The only question is as to how the matter should be expressed. The hon. Member has chosen a form of words which, I am sure, unwittingly, limits what he intends to do. He is well versed in the technicalities of these matters. Let me point out to him why his words would be a limitation. The effect of the Amendment upon undertakers who have not a provision relating to prepayment meters would be to limit the charges which they are at present entitled to make. They would be prevented from making a charge for the hire of a prepayment meter unless that charge included providing, letting and fixing. The hon. Member does not intend that result. What he intends is covered by the Clause which has already been amended. After that explanation, he may probably desire to withdraw his Amendment.

Mr. CLARRY

I beg to ask leave to withdraw my Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.