HC Deb 22 March 1976 vol 908 cc6-7
4. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue general directions to the electricity and gas boards to ensure that, by computer programming, customers are always automatically charged at the tariff rate which will produce the lowest possible account.

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Alex Eadie)

This would not be practicable, since for electricity the cheap off-peak tariffs are appropriate only for consumption at specified times, whilst for gas the system of optional tariffs requires that each tariff applies to a whole year's consumption.

Mr. Roberts

Does my hon. Friend accept, however, that it seems quite intolerable that quite a large number of people, as I understand it, are paying more than the tariff that they need to pay on the basis of their actual consumption? Will he accept from me that some of us who have had dealings with the minimisation problems in this area feel that the problem is not as difficult as he suggests?

Mr. Eadie

My hon. Friend will have to accept that both industries provide publicity to consumers on the choice of the right tariff, and any consumer who is still in doubt can seek advice from his local showroom. As regards my hon. Friend's general point, no representations from the statutory consumer bodies for gas and electricity have been made to suggest that intervention by my right hon. Friend would be justified.