§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table showing the comparative prices of petrol and diesel fuel in each of the EEC countries; and what discussions he has had to improve the price incentive in the United Kingdom in favour of diesel in the interests of energy conservation.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonThe latest available prices in United Kingdom currency—converted at 15th December rates of exchange—for premium grade petrol and derv in EEC member States are set out below. The prices for derv relate only to sales at retail outlets which broadly 437W account for 20 per cent. of sales of derv in the United Kingdom. Prices are not collected on an EEC basis for sales to industrial and commercial consumers.
AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF PETROL AND DERV AT 15TH DECEMBER 1977 (INCLUSIVE OF DUTY AND VAT) Country* Petrol pence/gallon Derv pence/gallon Belgium … 113.38 63.22 Denmark … 114.30 51.37 France … 121.56 73.36 W. Germany … 103.15 100.88 Ireland … 94.20 67.61 Italy … 135.30 41.94 Netherlands … 113.29 61.31 United Kingdom … 76.51 84.42 * No figures are available for Luxembourg. Any changes in taxation of automotive fuels are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.