§ Captain Crowderasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the average cost of the electricity meter supplied to small domestic consumers and the average quarterly rent charged therefor; and whether, for the purpose of this information, he will take the statistics of six of the leading electricity companies?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe present average cost of a ten ampere ordinary (non-prepayment) electricity meter is £1 19s. The practice of electricity undertakings in charging meter rents varies considerably. Some make no charge at all, and recover the cost of the meter, its installation, etc., in their other revenues. Some charge a separate meter rent of anything up to 3s. a quarter, which appears to be the maximum. Generally where the charge is made it is intended to cover some or all of the general costs of the undertaking in connection with the meter, e.g. the costs of fixing, reading, maintenance and renewal. Consumers who pay for their supply on an all-in or two part tariff are not normally charged any meter rent.