§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the cost of abolishing standing charges for gas and electricity for the elderly, chronically sick and low income groups.
§ Mr. MellorIt is estimated that the cost of abolishing standing charges for gas and electricity for pensioner households would approach £300 million per annum. Estimates are not available for the additional cost of abolishing standing charges for other consumers who are chronically sick or on low incomes.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average standing charge per quarter for credit meter consumers of gas boards with effect from 1 April 1979, 1 October 1979, 1 April 1980, 1 October 1980, 1 April 1981, 1 October 1981, 1 April 1982 and 1 October 1982; and what was the percentage increase in the charge by 1 October 1982 compared with 1 April 1979.
§ Mr. MellorThe quarterly standing charge element for credit meter consumers of gas in the general zone, at the requested dates, are given in the following table.
£ 1 April 1979 5.90 1 October 1979 6.37 1 April 1980 7.16 1 October 1980 7.77 1 April 1981 7.00 1 October 1981 8.00 1 April 1982 9.00 1 October 1982 9.90 The figures take into account the higher unit rate charged on the first 52 therms, under the three part tariff in operation between 1979 and April 1981, as explained in the answer to the question from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 12 November 1982.
The increase between 1 April 1979 and 1 October 1982 was 68 per cent.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average price per unit for domestic consumers of electricity boards with effect from 1 April 1978, 1 June 1979, 1 September 1979, 1 April 1980, 1 August 1980, 1 April 1981 and 1 April 1982; what was the quarterly charge payable from the same dates; and what were the percentage increases in the prices per unit and the quarterly charges by 1 April 1982 compared with 31 May 1979.
§ Mr. MellorThe following table sets out the information requested:
669W
Standard domestic Tariffs—England and Wales Average price per unit (excluding fixed charges) Average quarterly fixed charge P/kwhr £ 1 April 1978 2.826 3.01 1 June 1979 3.070 3.31 1 September 1979 3.311 3.71 1 April 1980 3.844 4.72 1 August 1980 4.244 5.15 1 April 1981 *4.707 5.94 1 April 1982 5.095 6.82 % increase from 31 May 1979 to 1 April 1982 80 127 * Excludes 0.34 p/Kwh rebate on bills rendered, Jan-March 1982.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total amounts raised in standing charges from credit meter gas consumers between 1 October 1978 and 31 March 1979 and between 1 April 1982 and 30 September 1982; and what percentage of total gas revenue each of the two sums represented.
§ Mr. MellorI have asked the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the right hon. Member.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total amounts raised in quarterly charges from domestic consumers of electricity boards between 1 October 1978 and 31 March 1979 and between 1 April 1982 and 30 September 1982; and what percentage of total revenue each of the two sums represented.
§ Mr. MellorI am asking the chairman of the British Gas Corporation to write to the right hon. Member.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris), Official Report, 20 December, c. 326, if his suggestion to the electricity and gas industries that they should restrict standing charges to no more than half of any domestic fuel bill included a proposal that this should lead to no increase in the overall charge per therm or unit; and whether he has received any communication from either of the industries indicating that such increases would have to be made.
§ Mr. MellorI did not qualify my suggestion. It is a matter for the industries whether the measure can be financed from lower costs or whether it will require a very slight increase in revenue from unit charges. They have not yet indicated how they would finance the measure.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will refer to the consultants considering the proposal to limit standing charges on fuel bills to no more than 50 per cent. of any bill, the report of the University of York social policy research unit on fuel charges, a copy of which has been sent to him.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 20 December 1982, c. 325]: The examinations of the level of electricity standing charges in England and Wales, being carried out by Deloittes, Haskins and Sells, and of the level of gas standing charges being carried out by Price Waterhouse, have been commissioned by the industries, not by the Government. I understand the industries are aware of the SPRU study. It is for the industries to decide whether to refer the study to their consultants.