§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the percentage increase in the price of (a) domestic electricity, (b) domestic gas, (c) domestic solid fuel and (d) domestic heating oil during each of the past five years; and what is the estimated percentage increase for the current year.
§ Mr. Norman LamontPercentage increases in the prices of these fuels to domestic consumers during each of the past five years are as follows—
British Gas Corporation and the National Coal Board will be in the order of 8.6 per cent. for electricity (England and 575W Wales), 8 per cent. for gas (Great Britain) and 20 per cent. for solid fuels (Great Britain). These increases involve changes in electricity and gas tariffs starting from June 1979 and changes in solid fuel prices in July and November 1979.
The recently announced increase in coal prices is expected to lead to a second revision of domestic electricity tariffs later this year but the size of the increase is not yet known.
Prices (including duty) of standard grade burning oil (900 litres "inner zone") had increased by 25.6 per cent. and of premium kerosene by 12.9 per cent. in the period 17 January 1979 to 13 June 1979. Future prices of oil products will largely depend on the course of crude oil prices and there is likely to be a restoration of economic differentials between standard grade burning oil and premium kerosene.