Domestic Gas and Electricity (Hansard, 25 January 1984)

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average price per unit for domestic consumers of electricity boards with effect from 1 April 1978, 1 June 1979, 1 September 1979, 1 April 1980, 1 August 1980, 1 April 1981, 1 April 1982 and 1 April 1983; what was the quarterly charge payable from the same dates; and what were the percentage increases in the prices per unit and the quarterly charges on 1 April 1983 compared with 31 May 1979.

§ Mr. Giles Shaw
The table shows the average price per unit, excluding standing charges, and the average quarterly standing charge for electricity to consumers on standard domestic tariffs in England and Wales at the requested dates.

Standard Domestic Tariffs—England and Wales

Average price per unit (excluding standing charges) p/KWh Average quarterly standing charge
£

1 April 1978 2.826 3.01

1 June 1979 3.070 3.31

1 September 1979 3.111 3.71

1 April 1980 3.844 4.72

1 August 1980 4.244 5.15

1 April 1981 ^* 4.707 5.94

1 April 1982 5.095 6.82

1 April 1983 5.098 6.82

Percentage increase from

31 May 1979 to 1 April 1983 80 127

^* Excludes 0.34 p3KWh rebate on bills rendered, January to March 1982.

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average standing charge per quarter for credit meter consumers of gas boards with effect from 1 April 1979, 1 October 1979, 1 April 1980, 1 October 1980, 1 April 1981, 1 October 1981, 1 April 1982, 1 October 1982 and 1 October 1983; and what was the percentage increase in the charge on 1 October 1983 compared with 1 April 1979.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The average quarterly standing charge element for domestic credit meter consumers of gas in the northern, midlands and general zones at the dates requested is shown in the table: 577W

Northern Zone† Midlands Zone† General Zone†

1 October 1982 9.20 8.60 9.90

1 October 1983 9.20 8.60 9.90

Percentage increase between

1 April 1979 and 1 October 1983 124 140 68

Between 1 April 1979 and 1 October 1983 the average quarterly standing charge element increased by just under 68 per cent.

^* Between 1 April 1979 and October 1981 the British Gas Corporation had a three-part tariff for domestic consumers, under which the first 52 therms consumed in any quarter were charged at a higher rate than subsequent therms. In order to produce comparable figures, the amount of the standing charge element has been adjusted to take account of this effect in 1979 and 1980, using the same basis as the 1979 Price Commission Report.

† The Northern Zone covers the British Gas Corporation's Northern North Western and North Eastern Regions; the Midlands Zone covers their West Midlands and East Midlands Regions; and the General Zone covers the remainder.

Standard Domestic Tariffs—England and Wales
	Average price per unit (excluding standing charges) p/KWh	Average quarterly standing charge £
1 April 1978	2.826	3.01
1 June 1979	3.070	3.31
1 September 1979	3.111	3.71
1 April 1980	3.844	4.72
1 August 1980	4.244	5.15
1 April 1981	^* 4.707	5.94
1 April 1982	5.095	6.82
1 April 1983	5.098	6.82
Percentage increase from
31 May 1979 to 1 April 1983	80	127
^* Excludes 0.34 p3KWh rebate on bills rendered, January to March 1982.

	Northern Zone†	Midlands Zone†	General Zone†
1 October 1982	9.20	8.60	9.90
1 October 1983	9.20	8.60	9.90
Percentage increase between
1 April 1979 and 1 October 1983	124	140	68
Between 1 April 1979 and 1 October 1983 the average quarterly standing charge element increased by just under 68 per cent.
^* Between 1 April 1979 and October 1981 the British Gas Corporation had a three-part tariff for domestic consumers, under which the first 52 therms consumed in any quarter were charged at a higher rate than subsequent therms. In order to produce comparable figures, the amount of the standing charge element has been adjusted to take account of this effect in 1979 and 1980, using the same basis as the 1979 Price Commission Report.
† The Northern Zone covers the British Gas Corporation's Northern North Western and North Eastern Regions; the Midlands Zone covers their West Midlands and East Midlands Regions; and the General Zone covers the remainder.