§ Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many price increases have been imposed or contemplated and announced by the electricity supply boards since January 1974 up to June 1977, in percentage terms.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonDetails of the various tariff increases by the 12 area boards in England and Wales are contained in their annual reports. The average basic tariff increases for domestic and industrial consumers announced since the beginning of 1974 were:
In addition there were fuel cost adjustment increases throughout the period so the total tariff increases in each financial year—i.e., including the basic increases were as follows:
Date of introduction Domestic tariffs Per cent. Industrial tariffs Per cent 1st August 1974 … — 5 1st April 1975 … 28½ 7½ 1st April 1976 … 11 7
CUMULATIVE INCREASE IN TARIFFS DURING EACH YEAR Financial year Domestic Per cent. Industrial Per cent. 1974–75 37 29 1975–76 39 17 1976–77 (to February 1977) 17½ 15½ The area boards have notified the Price Commission of their proposals to increase basic tariffs by an average of 4½ per cent. from 1st April 1977.
£ million 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 Electricity Council and boards (England and Wales) … –176.3 –257.6 8.5 British Gas Corporation … –41.3 –44.2 25.1 National Coal Board … –130.7 — 5.3