asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Gas.

I met the chairman of the British Gas Corporation on 20 July.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that more and more gas boards are sending out estimated bills, some of a very high order, which are causing distress and problems in particular to pensioners and those on low incomes? Will he discuss that with the chairman when he next meets him?

I recognise the problem. If a consumer disagrees with the estimate provided, there is provision on the back of the bill for him to submit his own reading, and the gas region will, on receipt of that, re-issue a bill based on the consumer's figures. I hope that that fact will become more widely known.

I allowed the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) to ask that supplementary question, but I should make it plain to the House that in future I shall follow the practice of my precedessors of not calling supplementaries to questions which do not reveal their subject matter, other than open questions to the Prime Minister.