§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the annual amount spent by the average consumer on(a) gas and (b) electricity where payment is by (i) a pre-payment meter and (ii) direct debit. [118913]
§ Mrs. LiddellProvisional estimates of average domestic gas and electricity bills for domestic consumers in 1999 are as follows:
Average UK domestic fuel bills1—1999 provisional estimatesa £ Payment method Standard Quarterly credit Monthly direct debit Pre-payment meter Gas2 305 267 318 Electricity3 265 256 282 1 Averages weighted by customer numbers 2 An annual consumption level of 18,000kWh has been assumed 3 An annual consumption level of 3,300kWh has been assumed. Customers with electric central heating are likely to consume considerably more electricity These figures are published annually in the Department's annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics" and in the "Energy Report".