§ Mr. Swainasked the Minister of Power what price increases have been implemented or applied for by the electricity, gas, coal and oil industries, apart from seasonal changes, during the last year; and what the average increase has been on domestic users' fuel bills.
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§ Mr. FreesonElectricity prices in England and Wales were raised by an average of 10½per cent., generally from 1st October, 1967.
Gas prices and Gas Boards' coke prices are at present the subject of a reference to the N.B.P.I.
Apart from the summer discount, the N.C.B.'s wholesale prices for coal have not changed. There have been some increases in retail prices.
Petrol prices were reduced in March, 1967. A surcharge of 2d. a gallon was applied to all petroleum product prices from 1st July, 1967 because of higher costs due to the Middle East war. From 1st January, 1968 the surcharge was reduced, but an increase of equal amount was made to cover higher costs arising from devaluation.
The fuel and light section of the index of retail prices rose by 6 per cent. from December, 1966 to December, 1967.