SIR: Some months ago the BEN published the problem with the new digital gas meters. But this month British Gas are still sending out incorrect gas bills.

The older gas meters register one additional number for every 100 cubic feet of gas used and the current price for that is approximately 48 pence. The new meters register one additional number for every cubic metre of gas used, that is 35.3 cubic feet and the correct price is 16.8 pence instead of the 48 that British Gas are still charging to some customers and have done for the past 15 months. To get any refund will be difficult, especially if you have moved address as British Gas does not seem to have a proper record of which customers have these new meters, but to be fair they do agree after three inspections. No apologies for the inconvenience and trouble caused.

The great danger is with winter approaching these meters may well be in the homes of some senior citizens who are likely to turn off their gas fire or other means of heating when they see such large gas bills and die from hypothermia. I trust that the people in authority will not allow this to happen.

A Devlin, Glynne Street, Farnworth.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.