HC Deb 27 February 1978 vol 945 cc61-2W
Sir John Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has made of the likely increase over the next 12 months in the price of steel, electricity and industrial production as a result of the miners' wage settlement.

Mr. Eadie

As wages and related costs account for nearly 50 per cent. of the cost of producing coal, about half of the increase from 1st March of about 10 per cent. in the price of industrial and carbonisation coals can be attributed to the miners' wage settlement. The precise effect on electricity prices, steel and industrial production has yet to be determined. However, in the past a 5 per cent. increase in the price of coal has added about 1½ per cent. to the price of electricity.

Forward to