§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money was paid to British Gas on behalf of low income gas users in the last year for which figures are available in the form of interim payments; how many overpayments were made; how much of the overpayment has been recovered; and to what other companies interim payments are made on behalf of low income customers. [52343]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 27 July 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is as set out.
In 1997–98 £59.4 million was paid to British Gas in the form of interim payments. We also have the facility to make payments to the following companies:
- Scottish Gas
- Eastern Electricity
- East Midlands Electricity
- London Electricity
- Manweb
- Midlands Electricity
- Northern Electricity
- Seeboard
- Scottish Hydro-electric
- Scottish Power
- South Wales Electric
- South Western Electric
- Southern Electric
- United Utilities
- Yorkshire Electricity.