§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the decision of the South Eastern electricity board not to implement the Government's preferred rebate scheme for low consumers of electricity, if he will issue a directive to the industry which will ensure comparable treatment to all users of electricity, irrespective of their home area.
§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. Stallard) on 11 April, Official Report, c. 324, whether the South Eastern electricity board is among those which have not adopted his proposal that standing charges should be limited to a maximum of half of any bill.
§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. Stallard) on 11 April, Official Report, c. 324, whether the South Eastern electricity board is among those that have not adopted his proposal that standing charges should be limited to a maximum of half of any bill; which the other boards are; and whether, in the interests of comparability throughout the United Kingdom, he will consider using his powers of direction in this matter.
§ Mr. GrayMy right hon. Friend's proposal was that standing charges should be limited to a maximum of half of a domestic consumer's bill. The South Eastern electricity board has adopted a different approach, giving less relief from standing charges. I understand also that the North Eastern electricity board is not applying the rebate 377W scheme to prepayment customers. I regret that these boards have not adopted my right hon. Friend's proposal in full.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer to the hon. Member for St. Pancras North on 11 April, Official Report, c. 324–5, which consumer representatives were consulted about standing charges.
§ Mr. GrayDiscussions were held with the chairman of the Electricity Consumers Council and the National Gas Consumers Council.
In addition, we took account of the views on various aspects of standing charges put to us on various occasions by a large number of other organisations. I refer the hon. Member to the reply from my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor) to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) dated 19 November, 1982 —[Vol. 32, c. 317–18.]