§ Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many price increases have been imposed or contemplated and announced by the National Coal Board since January 1974 and up to June 1977, in percentage terms.
§ Mr. EadiePrice increases since January 1974 are as follows:
Average percentage increase Domestic* November 1974 … 27½ January 1975 … 3 (Smokeless fuel only) April 1975 … 12 October 1975 … 8 January 1976 … 4 (Smokeless fuel only) April 1976 … 11 October 1976 … 10 Industrial April 1974 … 48 (Yorkshire and Midlands) 28 (Other areas) October 1974 … 28 March 1975 … 30 March 1976 … 15 *NCB's price to coal merchants. NCB has just announced price increases of 15 per cent on industrial coal from 1st March and 15 per cent. on both house coal and smokeless fuels from 1st April. In the case of house coal this will be fully rebated until 30th September and in the case of the Board's smokeless fuels, two-thirds of the price increase will be rebated until 30th September.