§ Mr. Pattieasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the price index numbers for electricity, gas and coal in January 1979 or at the latest available date on the same basis as his answer, Official Report, 31st July 1978, column 108.
§ Dr. John Cunningham:The following index number components of the retail price index, produced by the Department of Employment and based upon June 1947=100, give a general indication of movements in fuel prices to domestic consumers to the latest available date, 12th December 1978. However, because of changes in consumption levels, regional variations and tariff structures, such price comparisons over long periods can only be considered as broadly descriptive.
Electricity Gas Coal June 1947 100 100 100 December 1978 973 566 1,334 Based upon June 1947=100 the General Index of Retail Prices (All Items) would be 705.7 for December 1978. Relative to the movement in the RPI the increases in prices in real terms have been 38 per cent. for electricity, 89 per cent. for coal and gas prices have fallen by 20 per cent.