HC Deb 23 March 1976 vol 908 cc168-70W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the price per comparable unit of account of coal, gas, heating oil, motor spirit, and of electricity to industrial and domestic consumers, respectively, in each of the member countries of the EEC.

Mr. John Smith,

pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 24th February 1976; Vol. 906, c. 183], gave the following information:

Close international comparisons of prices of fuel are difficult to make, due to such factors as differing national consumption patterns, the wide variation in prices that can occur within countries and fluctuating exchange rates. This is particularly true in times of rapidly rising prices. The following table sets out the latest available information. The figures for each fuel are comparable in time but the dates vary as between different fuels.

SELECTED FUEL PRICES IN THE EEC
Natural Gas Domestic Premium Electricity
Coal(1) £/ton Domestic(2) p/therm Industrial(3) p/therm Heating Oil(5) p/gallon Motor Spirit(6) p/gallon Domestic(7) p/KWh Industrial(8) p/KWh Industrial(9) p/KWh
Belgium … 30–31 19.3 12.9 28.9 85.7 1.94 2.28 1.74
Denmark … .. .. .. 29.0 82.8 1.44 1.69–1.75 1.53–1.58
Irish Republic … .. .. .. 30.4 85.6 1.36–1.43 1.67 1.45
Federal Republic of Germany … 29.5–34.5 19.8 18.3(4) 25.2 82.3 1.69–2.02 2.21–2.60 1.65–2.11
France … 21–24 20.0 15.4 33.7 95.4 1.39 1.39–1.54 1.16–1.27
Italy … .. 12.9 11.5 27.6 102.8 .. 1.73 1.53
Luxembourg … .. .. .. 29.3 70.7 1.38 1.56 1.24
Netherlands … .. 12.8 10.9 30.7 87.0 1.21–1.88 1.36–1.99 1.16–1.64
United Kingdom … 18–23 13.7 14.7 29.3 72.0 1.12–1.35 1.37–2.02 1.18–1.80
..= Not available. National currencies have been converted at the exchange rate current on the appropriate date.

Notes:

(1) Pit head prices for industrial coal, January 1976, not including value added taxes.

(2) Domestic credit consumers of 800 therms a year, January 1976, not including value added taxes.

(3) Industrial tariff consumers of 40,000 therms a year, January 1976, not including value added taxes.

(4) Based on consumption of 10,000 therms a year; special contracts apply above this level.

(5) Deliveries of about 200 gallons, February 1976, including taxes.

(6) Typical pump prices, February 1976, including taxes.

(7) Annual consumption of 12,000 KWh, of which 9,000 KWh at night; representative of an all electric household, August 1975, not including value added taxes.

(8) Annual maximum demand of 500 KWh at 40 per cent, load factor; representative of a single shift working industry, August 1975, not including value added taxes.

(9) Annual maximum demand of 2,500 KWh at 60 per cent, load factor; representative of a two shift working industry, August 1975, not including value added taxes.