§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many people benefited from the standing charges rebate scheme in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithStanding charge rebate schemes were introduced by British Gas from February 1983 and by area electricity boards from January and February 1983. In 1983–84, the first full year of their operation, the schemes are estimated to have benefited some 3 million gas and some 2 million electricity consumers.