§ 22. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the effect of the Budget measures on industrial energy costs.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe additional flexibility in pricing introduced by the electricity area boards has to date been taken up by some 160 consumers representing 25 per cent. of total industrial electricity consumption in England and Wales in 1980–1.
British Gas holding renewal terms means that for customers on firm gas contracts prices will be some 10 per cent. lower by December than they would otherwise have been. For customers on interruptible contract the effective benefit will depend on the movement in price of the competing heavy fuel oil which is already 10 per cent. above the interruptible gas renewal price.
It is too early to estimate the effect of the boiler conversion scheme.