§ Lord Corbett of Castle Valeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have to bring marine craft into line with current regulations, or with regulations due to come into force, in connection with the maximum resale price of electricity, gas and water by marina operators; and [HL5722]
What proposals they have to require marina operators to disclose how they intend to calculate the charges to consumers for electricity, gas and water; and [HL5724]
What regulations they intend to enforce on marina operators on the specification of metering equipment purchased and supplied for use by consumers of electricity, gas and water supplies; and [HL5725]
What regular inspection is made by whom to ensure that marina operators do not exceed the maximum resale prices for electricity, gas and water under the provisions of the Utilities Act 2000. [HL5726]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleIssues regarding water are for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who will provide a separate answer.
Regulations on the resale of gas and electricity are matters for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). In January this year Ofgem introduced revised maximum resale price rules for the resale of gas and electricity, to take effect from 1 January 2003. The changes were implemented after extensive consultation. The new arrangements provide important protection to those being resold gas and electricity, in that the resale has to be made at the same price as that paid to the supplier. These rules provide protection for users in a variety of different types of 250WA accommodation, including domestic tenants and those using holiday apartments, caravans and chalets. If the occupants of boats, including houseboats, are using electricity and gas for similar purposes in these other forms of accommodation, they will enjoy the same protection. In order to demonstrate compliance with the rules, resellers including marina operators will be required, on request, to explain to their customers how their charges have been calculated. The new arrangements do not contain specific requirements on the metering arrangements which resellers can use. Ofgem has no powers to inspect compliance with the maximum resale price rules nor to enforce them. If a customer believes that they have been overcharged, and the issue cannot be resolved by negotiation, recovery of the overcharge may be pursued through the civil courts. The courts may require the resellers to provide information regarding the calculation of their charges.