§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report the comparative energy prices for the United States of America and the United Kingdom for oil per litre, coal per tonne and electricity per kilowatt.
§ Mr. Norman LamontEstimates of up-to-date consumer prices for each fuel in the United States of America and the United Kingdom collected on a reasonably comparable basis are not readily available.
345WTables 1 and 2 below give the latest available price information for the domestic and industrial sectors. Domestic coal prices for the United States of America are not readily available.
It must always be borne in mind when making international comparisons that difficulties can arise in times of changing prices and exchange rate fluctuations.
Table 1—Domestic Fuel Price Estimates in USA and UK Fuels Heating oil* (pence/litre) 2 star petrol* (pence/litre) Electricity† (pence/Kwh) Date of estimate mid-February 1981 mid-February 1981 1 August 1980 3,300 kwh/An 7,500 kwh/An (500 kwh night rate) United States of America 13.26–13.85 15.69 2.28–6.30 2.79–5.70 United Kingdom 16.52 28.70 4.22–5.90 2.76–3.72 * Sources: "Oil and Gas Journal" and EEC weekly oil bulletin. † Source: Electricity Council.
Table II—Industrial Fuel Price Estimates in USA and UK Heavy fuel oil* (pence/litre) Electricity† (pence/kwh) Coal‡ (£/tonne) mid-October 1980 Date of estimate 1 August 1980 1 October 1980 Maximum demand 500 kw 40 per cent. load 2,500 kw 40 per cent. load High volatile 6/10 mm (pithead prices) United States of America 6.98 2.43–4.28 2.19–4.25 15.3 United Kingdom 8.90 2.97–3.59 2.87–3.57 41.1 * Sources: United States Monthly Energy Review and EEC Weekly Oil Bulletin. † Source: Electricity Council. ‡ Sources: EEC Bulletin "Carnet De Prix" and "Coal Week".