§ 18. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress to harmonise the energy prices paid by industries within the European Economic Community as a whole in order to avoid discrimination against United Kingdom industries.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Council of Energy Ministers in May 1980 agreed resolutions which268W recommended that member States observe economic-energy pricing principles; and that they pursue appropriate energy pricing policies aimed at achieving the Community energy policy guidelines for 1990. Progress on economic energy pricing in the Community will be pursued in the Council of Energy Ministers next week, where a review by the Commission of attainment of energy objectives for 1990 is likely to be tabled.
Where there is evidence that artificially low price levels are being maintained through subsidies, the Government will press the Commission to act against the offending party.
§ 19. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the prices per therm under current contracts for oil, gas and electricity supplied for industrial use.
§ Mr. GrayThe latest available survey information is for the third quarter of 1980, when the average price for the gas was 17.8p/therm, for heavy fuel oil 22.4p/therrn, and for electricity 68.0p/therm.