Gas supplier Liquigas said today that full refunds on returns of LPG cylinders were only given on the production of the original receipt.

"Customers wishing to return a cylinder will be refunded in full according to the value as shown on the receipt," the company said in a statement.

It added, however, that although it is normal practice for a deposit only to be refunded with the evidence of a valid receipt, Enemalta had decided, and Liquigas maintained the practice, to refund €5 to any customer who wants to return an empty cylinder without a receipt.

"On each deposit receipt it is clearly stated that refund will only be given upon presentation of the original receipt. Over the years, the deposit has increased from €1.16 (Lm0.50) in 1992 to €25. The last increase to €25 was established in March 2010, and only just over 4,000 cylinders out of the 600,000 available on the market have been issued at this new deposit rate. Distributors were always obliged by Enemalta, and subsequently by Liquigas, to issue a deposit receipt indicating the amount of the deposit paid by the customer," the company said.

The company said the deposit paid is refundable and gives the customer the right to use the cylinder, but the deposit does not give any ownership rights. In fact, all yellow, brown and green cylinders are owned by Liquigas Malta Ltd, and all costs in relation to the maintenance and testing of these cylinders are borne by Liquigas.