HC Deb 28 January 1980 vol 977 c440W
27. Mr Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Industry to what extent the recently announced increases in gas and electricity charges will raise the cost of British manufactured goods in general and the price of steel in particular.

Mr. Adam Butler

Detailed pricing proposals are a matter for the gas and electricity supply industries themselves and have yet to be announced. However, the effects of the increases in electricity tariffs due on 1 April are likely to be less than ½ per cent. on manufacturing industry's costs and of the order of 1 per cent. on the steel industry's costs. Gas prices will continue to be broadly related to those of competing oil products.