To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what consideration will be made in the forthcoming consultation on smart meters of the potential introduction of meters with internal communications and displays instead of pure real time displays; and what assessment he has made of the effect such an introduction would have on the UK's implementation of the Energy Services Directive; (150878)

[holding answer 19 July 2007]: The Government will shortly issue a consultation on its approach to billing, smart metering and display devices. This consultation will cover electricity, gas and heat. My Department, as part of that consultation process, will continue to have further discussions with interested parties, including energy suppliers, meter manufacturers, and consumer and environmental groups. Information from the consultation and other work being undertaken by the Government, Ofgem and energy suppliers will inform the Government's approach on smart meters as a whole, including implementation of article 13 of the energy service directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how the roll-out of smart meters in the UK is planned to be funded. (151171)

The Government will shortly issue a consultation document on metering and billing, including smart metering. Information from the consultation and other work being undertaken by the Government, Ofgem and energy suppliers will inform the Government’s approach on smart meters.