§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will make it his policy not to permit an increase in electricity prices between May 1982 and May 1983 which is in excess of the increase in the retail prices index;
(2) to what causes he attributes the fact that electricity prices increased by 10 per cent. between May 1981 and May 1982 at a time when the retail prices index rose by 9.5 per cent. and coal prices by 8 per cent.;
(3) to what causes he attributes the fact that electricity prices increased by 22 per cent. between July 1980 and July 1981, at a time when the retail prices index rose by 10.9 per cent. and coal prices by 9 per cent.
§ Mr. MellorI shall answer my hon. Friend as soon as possible.