§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what has been the percentage increase in standing charges for (a) gas and (b) electricity for the past three years;
(2) if he will give the total increase in standing charges for (a) gas and (b) electricity for the past three years.
§ Mr. MellorThe following table sets out the quarterly standing charge elements in the normal domestic tariffs for quarterly billed gas and electricity consumers in England and Wales at the dates shown:
£ Gas (General zone) Percentage increase (annual) £ Electricity (average) Percentage increase (annual) November 1979* 6.37 3.71 November 1980 7.77 22 5.15 39 November 1981 8.00 3 5.94 15 November 1982 9.90 24 6.82 15 Total increase (November 1979 to November 1982) 3.53 55 3.11 84 * Between 1979 and April 1981 the British Gas Corporation had a three-part tariff for domestic credit consumers, under which the first 52 therms consumed in any quarter were charged at a higher rate than subsequent therms. In order to produce comparable figures, the amount of the standing charge element has been adjusted to take account of this effect in 1979 and 1980, using the same basis as the 1979 Price Commission report.