§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the price index for domestic electricity on 19th June 1970, 1st March 1974 and today, taking the price on 19th June 1970 as 100.
§ Mr. Eadie:The price index for domestic electricity derived from that published by the Department of Employment as a part of the General Index of Retail Prices for dates closest to those required and the latest available date is set out below:
16th June 1970 … … 100 19th February 1974 … … 128 14th June 1977 … … 309
§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the price index for domestic gas on 19th June 1970, 1st March 1974 and today, taking the price on 19th June 1970 as 100.
§ Mr. Eadie:The price index for domestic gas derived from that published by the Department of Employment as a part of the General Index of Retail Prices, for dates closest to those required and the latest available date, is set out below:
16th June 1970 … … 100 19th February 1974 … … 120 14th June 1977 … … 206
§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give a general direction to all area gas boards to arrange tariffs and prices so as not to penalise those who consume only small amounts of gas, in the interests of energy conservation and retirement pensioners.
§ Dr. John A. Cunningham:No. Tariffs should reflect costs of supply, and I do not accept that those now in force are unfair to small consumers. The BGC is under a statutory obligation to avoid undue preference or discrimination in fixing tariffs.
§ Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in the price of electricity, gas and coal for domestic users since February 1974.
275W
§ Mr. Eadie:The increases in prices as indicated by the sub-groups of the General Index of Retail Prices from 19th February 1974 to 14th June 1977 are:
per cent. Electricity … … … 141 Gas … … … 72 Coal and Coke … … 102