§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish for each of. the past 10 years figures indicating the average ex-duty price of (a) four-star petroleum spirit (retail), (b) aviation gasoline (wholesale), (c) aviation gasoline (retail), (d) aviation turbine fuel (wholesale) and (e) aviation turbine fuel (retail).
§ Mr. GrayTypical retail prices of four-star petroleum spirit in January of each year since 1970 are shown in the following table. These approximate estimates are generally representative of prices paid at the pump on or about the 15th of the month. The estimates for the years since 1977 are based upon information provided by oil companies.
Year Price of four Star petroleum spirit (pence per gallon) Jan. 1970 33 Jan. 1971 34 Jan. 1972 35 Jan. 1973 35 Jan. 1974* 42 Jan. 1975 73 Jan. 1976 77 Jan. 1977 80 Jan. 1978 76 Jan. 1979 79 Jan. 1980 120 Source: Energy Trends.
Footnote I
(1) Effective rates of duty on motor spirit and dates from which they took effect are:—
15 April 1969, 22.5p/gallon; 10 April 1976, 30p/gallon; 30 March 1977, 35p/gallon; 8 August 1977, 30p/gallon; 13 June 1979, 36.82p/gallon; 26 March 1980, 45.46p/gallon.
142WThis fuel became liable to value added tax as follows: 10 per cent. with effect from 1 April 1974; 8 per cent. with effect from 29 July 1974; 25 per cent. with effect from 18 November 1974; 12.5 per cent. with effect from 12 April 1976; 15 per cent. with effect from 18 June 1979.
Footnote II
* Maximum retail prices were imposed by order during the period 15 December 1973 to 20 December 1974.
Wholesale and retail prices of aviation gasoline and aviation turbine fuel are not available. However, published schedule prices may be taken as a proxy for wholesale prices, but do not incorporate any rebates or discounts that may be negotiated with a particular purchaser. Typical schedule prices for January of each year since 1970 are shown in the following table.
Typical prices inclusive of tax; exclusive of VAT* (pence per litre) Aviation Gasoline Aviation turbine fuel (100L) (Jet A-1) January 1970 7.3 1.7 January 1971 7.7 2.1 January 1972 7.7 2.1 January 1973 7.9 2.3 January 1974 9.2 3.4 January 1975 12.7 5.8 January 1976 13.4 6.8 January 1977 17.7 8.5 January 1978 17.7 9.0 January 1979 17.7 9.0 January 1980 32.6 16.6 * The tax included in the above figures is: Aviation gasoline 1970 to 1976, 4.9 p/litre; 1977 to 1979, 6.6 p/litre; 1980, 8.1 p/litre. Aviation turbine fuel 1970 to 1977,0.2 p/litre; 1978 and 1979,0.5 p/litre and 1980 0.7 p/litre. The VAT excluded in the above figures for aviation gasoline was nil prior to 1975; 1975 and 1976, 25 per cent.; 1977 to 1979, 12.5 per cent.; 1980, 15 per cent. For Aviation turbine fuel the rate is nil for all years.