§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will refer to the consultants considering the proposal to limit standing charges on fuel bills to no more than 50 324W per cent. of any bill, the report of the University of York social policy research unit on fuel charges, a copy of which has been sent to him.
§ Mr. MellorI shall answer the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, pursuant to his answer of 10 December, Official Report, c. 652, he will set out the practical difficulties which prevent the reports of the consultants who are examining standing charges being expedited in order for him to be able to make a statement on the response of the electricity and gas supply industries before the Christmas Adjournment.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 17 December 1982, c. 290]: The reports are not yet ready.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply of 6 December, if he will express the cost to the electricity supply and gas industries of limiting standing charges in domestic bills to a maximum of 50 per cent. of any bill in approximate cash terms; and if, in the case of the electricity supply industry, such a limit would prejudice the ability of the industry to maintain its average level of prices for the next year.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 17 December 1982, c. 290]: The British Gas Corporation and the Electricity Council estimate the consequent loss of revenue from standing charges at around £20 million and £16 million, respectively. Such an adjustment to a part of the electricity tariff would not increase the average level of prices paid by consumers.