§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received calling for the abolition of the standing charges in respect of gas supplies for retirement pensioners; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GrayI have received a number of representations on this subject. To give pensioners full relief from standing charges would not be a cost-effective way of providing 259W assistance in relation to need. The resultant extra costs to other consumers could not be justified. The Government are already spending £300 million this year in assistance to the elderly and those on low incomes with fuel bills.
In addition, about 500,000 pensioners who are small consumers will benefit from the introduction by the British Gas Corporation of my right hon. Friend's proposal to limit standing charges to domestic consumers to not more than 50 per cent. of a total bill.