§ Mr. Austickasked the Minister for Energy what was the price per gallon of oil delivered for industrial and domestic heating in December 1972 and on 1st January 1974, respectively; and if he will give a breakdown of the factors that have contributed to the increase.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinApart from the main factor of cost ex-refinery, the final price of heating oil for the consumer depends upon factors such as the geographical zone, delivery charges, discounts and distributors' margins. However, taking for illustration scheduled wholesale prices for bulk deliveries in the Inner Zone—mostly the larger conurbations—the picture for December 1972 as compared with December 1973—the latest available figures—was as follows in terms of pence per gallon:
December 1972 December 1973 P P Gas Oil 10.33 14.93 to 16.43 Burning Oil (standard grade) 11.42 14.75 to 16.02 Paraffin 12.67 15.62 to 17.87 The increase in prices stemmed primarily from higher crude oil costs imposed by producer countries, but also included elements of higher freight costs, currency fluctuations, and other factors.