§ 20. Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that many shopkeepers have had to use less electricity than before the war during the past winter owing to black-out, etc., but have been charged for their pre-war consumption; that this imposition is felt to be very unfair; and whether he will take steps to see that shopkeepers arc only charged for the electricity they have used?
§ Colonel LlewellinI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to cases where shopkeepers take a supply under a two-part business tariff. It is open to them to change over to a flat rate on giving one quarter's notice and some undertakers have agreed to waive this notice or to adjust the fixed charge to allow for the prohibition of outside lighting. My hon. Friend will appreciate that, as regards the running charge part of the tariff, the consumer only pays for the amount of electricity consumed.