§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out the circumstances under which pre-payment meters are made available to customers requesting them and the circumstances under which they are refused; and if he will define the meaning of safe and practicable, in relation to the provision of pre-payment meters.
§ Mr. Norman LamontPrepayment meters are installed where consumers have requested them, provided it is safe and practical to do so. Each individual case is considered on its merits and there are, therefore, no hard and fast rules governing the interpretation of"safe and practical". Among the factors taken into consideration are the physical location of the meter for access and security, the presence of gas or electric central heating and the suitability of other easy payment methods.