§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what advice Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has given to British Gas and the regional electricity supply companies setting out options for apportioning bills for supplies consumed before and after the day when VAT is introduced;
(2) if he will publish details of the agreements negotiated by British Gas and the regional electricity supply companies with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise regarding the calculation of fuel consumed after 1 April on the basis of warmer weather; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 28 March 1994]: Apportionment can be based on meter readings taken on 31 March. Customs have also agreed that it would be acceptable to apportion bills by using the ratio of the number of days before and from 1 April or by applying weighting factors of 1.75:1 for electricity and 2.5:1 for gas. The actual method of apportionment chosen is a commercial matter between the individual suppliers and their customers.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice is given to consumers who believe that the apportionment of their electricity or gas bills for fuel consumed before and after 1 April 1994 is not fair or reasonable; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 28 March 1994]: Consumers should approach their supplier with evidence that would support a different apportionment.