§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has studied the report of the National Economic Development Council task force that British industry is paying up to 30 per cent. more than the French and West Germans for electricity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe NEDC task force report found that the most serious disparities between United Kingdom electricity prices and prices in France and West Germany applied only to large high load factor customers. In his speech on the Budget my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a new scheme 115W designed for these customers, who will be able to obtain significant reductions in their charges in return for a commitment to accept load reductions when required. The cost of this measure in 1982–83 will be around £100 million.