§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the comparative cost per therm to industrial users of coal, oil, natural gas and electricity in England. Scotland and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. VarleyEnergy costs to the user can show wide variation, depending on volume of consumption, terms of supply and the grade of fuel used. The figures in the following table should thus be regarded as indicative only. Individual cases can show considerable divergence from the figures shown.
FUEL COSTS TO INDUSTRIAL USERS p/therm England Scotland Wales Coal* 4.3–5.2 5.0–5.5 5.4–5.5 Fuel Oil† 7.5–8.5 7.5–8.5 7.5–8.5 Natural Gas‡ 3.4 3.3 3.0 Electricity§ 22.9 19.1 21.1 * Average of coals supplied to industrial markets. Prices at end June 1974. † Figures relate to inner and outer zones of the major oil companies (on the basis of Table 100 of "UK Energy Statistics 1973") Prices at end June 1974. ‡ The figures are provisional. Prices for the financial year 1973–74. § Figures relate to average revenue from sales by the electricity boards for the calendar year 1973.