Written question asked by Brian H Donohoe (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 April 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Energy Supply: Meters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will meet the three energy suppliers who continue to back-charge token meter consumers and urge them to end the practice;

Answer: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply, including matters related to prepayment meters. My hon. friend, the Minister for Energy, has no plans to meet with the energy suppliers on this issue. I welcome Ofgem’s commitment to working with suppliers to improve their performance in recalibrating and replacing certain prepayment meters. My Department continues to monitor progress.Ofgem recently published an update in a letter of 21 March from its managing director of corporate affairs. This letter, which included details of the progress on customer communication made by Scottish Power, Powergen and npower, is available from Ofgem’s website at:"www.ofgem.gov.uk "

Secondary information