§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received in the current year for the reform or abolition of standing charges on fuel bills.
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§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have received some representations this year on these issues, which are matters for the industries concerned. This and previous Governments, the industries' consumers' councils and the Council of the European Communities have shared the view that standing charges are the fairest and most appropriate way of recovering the fixed costs of supply. Standing charges for gas have decreased by 10 per cent. since 1982, a fall of around 24 per cent. in real terms; and those for electricity have risen by only 8 per cent. over that period, a fall of around 10 per cent. in real terms.