§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the present prices of electricity and gas, respectively, to domestic and industrial consumers; and how they relate to those in February 1974.
§ Dr. John CunninghamFor electricity, the average price per unit—kilowatt-hour —paid by domestic consumers in February 1974 was 1.03p, and in July 1978, 2.86p. The average price per unit paid by industrial consumers on published tariffs was 0.83p in February 1974 and 2.07p in July 1978.
For gas, the figures depend on the region, the tariff and the level of consumption. In the West Midlands region, which includes my hon. Friend's constituency, a domestic consumer at a consumption level of 500 therms per year would pay around 18p/therm now compared with around 10p/therm under the tariff which was introduced from 1st January 1974. An industrial consumer at a consumption level of 6,000 therms per year on the basic tariff would pay around 18p/therm now compared with around 10.5/therm under the tariff introduced in 1st January 1974.