HC Deb 22 July 1996 vol 282 c35W
Sir Robert Hicks

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that fuel consumers who use pre-payment meters are not required to pay a surcharge on standing or unit prices. [38043]

Mr. John M. Taylor

Subject to their licence obligations to avoid undue discrimination, this is a matter for the public electricity suppliers and gas suppliers. I understand that they have been able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the regulators, that there are additional costs involved in operating pre-payment meter systems for electricity and gas customers.