§ 23. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the interests of encouraging energy conservation, he will take steps to require the abolition of the standing charge added to electricity and gas bills to require charging to be on the basis only of actual use.
§ Mr. John MooreNo. The standing charge in electricity and gas tariffs reflects those costs incurred by the industries such as the costs of meter reading and billing which are unrelated to the amount of energy consumed. 47W The unit charges correctly recover the costs, mainly fuel, which vary with consumption and thus provide the appropriate inducement for energy conservation.