§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy how the price of gas has varied over the last 10 years in relation to retirement pensions.
§ Mr. BennThe relationship depends to some extent on the gas region involved, and on the volume of consumption. However, at the dates specified in the table below, the price of 500 therms a year—approximately the present average domestic consumption—on the most favourable tariff then available represented the following percentages of the annual rate of retirement pension in force at the time.
RANGE OF REGIONAL PRICES As percentage of single person's retirement pension As percentage of married couple's retirement pension At 1st July 1968 … 18–25 11–16 At 1st July 1971 … 17–23 10–14 At 1st July 1974 … 12–16 8–10 At 1st July 1977 … 11–13 7–8 At 1st July 1978 … 10–11 6–7