§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he w ill introduce the necessary regulations to abolish all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills for people over the state pension age for retirement; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his estimate of the current cost of the abolition of all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills for people over the state pension age for retirement; and how the estimate was arrived at.
§ Mr. Neil Hamilton[holding answer 26 October 1992]: This is primarily a matter for the utility companies, which may decide on the form and scale of their charges—including standing charges—within the constraints of their licences and relevant legislation. The utility regulators have an important role in agreeing the pricing levels and structures.