§ Mrs. Kellett-Bowmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the cost of a litre of petrol in each of the European Economic Community countries (a) in 1976 and (b) at the latest date, and the percentage increase in each case.
TYPICAL RETAIL PRICES OF PREMIUM PETROL IN EEC COUNTRIES Pence/litre Country 1 January 1976 15 March 1980 Percentage increase Belgium … … … … 18.83 34.15 81 Denmark … … … … Not available 35.92 — France … … … … 20.81 35.15 69 Germany … … … … 17.10 28.40 66 Ireland … … … … 16.46 30.26 84 Italy … … … … 23.43 34.52 47 Luxembourg … … … … Not available Not available — Netherlands … … … … 19.27 31.55 64 United Kingdom … … … … 16.26 27.08 67 International comparisons are made difficult 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 a wide range of prices within each country.