HC Deb 02 July 1992 vol 210 cc685-6W
Mr. Ward

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to require the public utilities to change their level of standing charges to help low users of their services.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The nature and level of charges for services and supplies by the utilities are matters for the companies, subject to the conditions in their licences. Enforcement of licence conditions, which can include price controls, is a matter for the utility regulators, who also have responsibility and powers to protect the interests of customers. The Government have no powers to vary directly the type of level of charges, and no plans to take such powers.