HC Deb 25 April 1967 vol 745 cc263-4W
94. Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the Minister of Power whether he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the energy co-efficient for the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Mr. Freeson

The energy co-efficient for the United Kingdom in each of the last five years was:—

Unadjusted Adjusted for temperature differences
1962 3.48 0.51
1963 0.93 0.83
1964 0.13 0.47
1965 1.52 1.15
1966 0.17 0.63

The energy co-efficient is defined as the ratio of the percentage increase in gross inland energy consumption in a given year to the percentage increase in the same year of gross domestic product at constant prices.

108. Mr. Weatherill

asked the Minister of Power to what extent he expects the energy co-efficient for the United Kingdom to change in the next five-year period from the figure of 0.56 per cent. for the period 1960–64.

Mr. Marsh

This ratio fluctuates markedly, as answers to other questions will indicate, and I cannot make a close estimate of what it will be.

122. Mr. Weatherill

asked the Minister of Power whether he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information in his possession from international organisations as to the energy co-efficient for the United States of America, France, Germany and Italy in each of the last five years.

Mr. Freeson

Energy co-efficients for the U.S.A., France, Germany and Italy in each of the latest five years for which published statistics are available are as follows:

U.S.A. France Germany F.R. Italy
1961 0.89 0.73 0.20 1.05
1962 0.71 0.88 1.79 2.24
1963 1.05 2.40 2.38 2.49
1964 0.88 0.59 0.24 1.56
1965 0.92 0.94 0.60 2.21

These co-efficients, which are unadjusted for temperature differences from year to year, are not directly comparable with those for the United Kingdom given today to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale, owing to differences in the statistical basis. In any event comparisons between countries are difficult to interpret because of differences between their energy patterns and general economic structures.