asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to lay down minimum legal standards for heat meters used in houses using heat from district heat systems, requiring such meters to conform to standards of construction and installation permitting a maximum error of no more than 10 per cent. in normal use.

The Department of Energy are arranging a meeting with the National Consumer Council to discuss the council's report on heat metering, which includes this recommendation. Our Department and other Departments concerned will be represented at that meeting and we will then, with our colleagues, take stock of the position and consider what further action might appropriately be taken.