HC Deb 30 November 1979 vol 974 cc838-9W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the increase in the real cost of fuel over each of the next two decades.

Mr. Gray

As a basis for planning the Government have estimated that the price of crude oil could more than double in real terms by the end of the century and other fuel prices are also expected to increase substantially. Within this period the market is likely to be very volatile and subject to political and other short term influences and uncertainties. In such circumstances it is not possible to predict the path which prices are likely to follow.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the percentage increase in prices for each of the following fuels for each year since 1970 (a) coal, (b) gas, (c) gas for central heating, (d) electricity, (e) central heating oil and (f) paraffin.

Mr. Gray

The following table shows the annual percent. increase in various fuel prices in the domestic sector.

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PRICE OF DOMESTIC FUELS
Period* Coal Gas Electricity Heating oils
1970 … … … … 6.1 2.2 1.4 11.2
1971 … … … … 10.1 8.4 12.7 2.2
1972 … … … … 9.0 4.0 4.6 6.5
1973 … … … … 2.8 1.6 7.0 33.1
1974 … … … … 25.8 6.7 31.9 48.6
1975 … … … … 27.0 35.2 41.1 24.0
1976 … … … … 21.3 11.2 18.6 28.5
1977 … … … … 15.1 9.7 10.9 3.3
1978 … … … … 12.5 0.2 7.7 0.0
16 January 1979 to 16 October 1979 … … … 9.3 7.9 14.4 46.4
* Periods are those used in the general index of retail prices from mid-January to mid-January unless otherwise stated.

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