§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the actual basic price in Common Market countries of a gallon of petrol excluding all tax.
§ Mr. John MooreProvisional EEC country retail—at pump—prices of petrol, excluding taxation, as at 8 October 1979 are shown below. In the United Kingdom the grades are four star—premium—and two star—regular.
Pence per gallon Grade Country Premium Regular Belgium 61 58.5 Denmark 55 53 France 57.5 53 Germany 60 55 Ireland 65.5 63.5 Italy 48.5 46 Luxembourg Not available Not available Netherlands 61 58 United Kingdom 65 63.5 Source: EEC Consumer Price Indicator 1978–79.
Comparisons are difficult to make in times of rising prices. Further difficulties can arise when exchange rates fluctuate and national currencies are sometimes regarded as over or under valued. Moreover, there can be wide ranges of prices within countries.