HL Deb 19 April 1977 vol 382 cc4-5

2.41 p.m.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice has been given to the British Gas Corporation by the Secretary of State for Energy with regard to the replacement of existing gas meters by meters designed to read in metric units, as required by the EEC Directive 71/354.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, EEC Directive 71/354, as amended by Directive 76/770, is concerned with units of measurement and covers a very wide field. The British Gas Corporation have been advised that it does not require the replacement of existing gas meters.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, which is helpful to a degree, may I ask him whether he would not agree that, even if existing meters are not replaced before they wear out, a situation will arise where there is more than one type of meter in use at the same time, perhaps even in the same building, and whether this is not likely to lead to very serious confusion?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, our interpretation of the Directive is that existing meters can continue to be manufactured and installed after 1979. With regard to newly-designed gas meters, this matter is under consideration.