§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the estimated increase in the retail price index which will result from the proposed electricity price rise of 30 per cent. which is intended to come into effect on 1st April 1975;
(2) what is the estimated increase in the retail price index which will result from proposed further increases in electricity prices of 7½ per cent. which it is intended will come into effect on 1st August 1975.
§ Mr. BoothIncreases of 30 per cent. and 7½ per cent. in domestic electricity charges would increase the retail prices index by about three-quarters and one-fifth of 1 per cent. respectively relative to its present—January 1975—level.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated increase in the retail price index which will result from the rise in electricity prices which took effect on 1st January 1975.
§ Mr. BoothIt is estimated that the increase in electricity charges that took effect in bills payable from the 1st January 1975 increased the retail prices index by about one-tenth of 1 per cent.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated increase in the retail price index which will result from the proposed 22 per cent. increase in coal prices which it is intended to bring into effect in two stages by the autumn of 1975.
§ Mr. BoothAn increase of 22 per cent. in the prices of domestic coal and coke would increase the retail prices index by about one-quarter of 1 per cent. relative to the present—January 1975—level.