§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage rise in the general level of prices of (a) each nationalised industry and (b) of all nationalised industries together between 31st March 1975 and 31st March 1976.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettFollowing is the information:
621W
Per cent. Increase (a) Industry (Estimated) National Coal Board Domestic 22 Industrial 15 (1) Electricity (England and Wales) 33 North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board 22 South of Scotland Electricity Board 26 British Gas Corporation Domestic 20 Non-domestic 21 (2) British Steel Corporation (3) Post Office Telecommunications 80 Posts 22 British Airways Board 20 British Airports Authority 29 British Railways Board Passenger fares 48 Freight 29 Parcels 27 British Transport Docks Board Uncontrolled charges Controlled charges 72 British Waterways Board 56 National Freight Corporation 15 National Bus Company 40
Scottish Transport Group Bus companies 20 Shipping companies 18 (b) The retail prices index for goods and services mainly produced by the nationalised industries rose by 33 per cent. between April 1975 and April 1976.
(1) In addition to these increases, which apply to all coal fuels, there was a 3 per cent. increase in smokeless fuels only in January 1976.
(2) Excludes industrial consumers having individually negotiated contracts.
(3) It is not possible to give a single overall figure. The average list prices of BSC's main product groups increased within the range of 0–27 per cent.