HC Deb 01 March 1982 vol 19 cc63-4W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the real price of domestic gas, in 1970 terms, in each year from 1974 to 1981.

Mr. John Moore

In 1970 the consumer paid 10.61 pence per therm. This compares, in 1970 money terms, to a price of 8.38p in 1981 a decrease in price of 2.23p a therm. The following table shows the price relative to 1970 based upon figures for the general index of retail prices. The general index of retail prices (all items excluding fuels) has been used to deflate actual prices in the calculations.

Gas prices (in 1970 terms)
Pence/therm
1970 10.61
1974 8.70
1975 8.17
1976 8.49
1977 8.59

Pence/therm
1978 8.06
1979 7.43
1980 7.43
1981 8.38