§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average annual increase in the cost of electricity in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how much profit or loss was made by the NIES in each of these years.
§ Mr. Moyle, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 742], circulated the following:
The NIES did not come into operation until 1st April 1973, but the following information is obtained by aggregating that available in the annual reports of its predecessors:
Year Percentage increase over previous year in average price per unit sold Loss £ million 1971–72 8.3 1.4 1972–73 Nil 2.5 1973–74 1.4 18.1 1974–75 60.5 28.7 1975–76(estimate) 49.1 22.0 The losses reflect national price restraint policy during these years and the totals shown have been, or will be, subject to compensation payments by the Department of Commerce.