Fuel (Consumer Subsidies)

HC Deb 23 February 1983 vol 37 cc466-7W

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of the Government's annual subsidy per consumer to (a) the gas industry, (b) the electricity industry and (c) the coal industry in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Adam Butler

The best estimate available of the subsidy per consumer from the Government to the gas industry and electricity industry in Northern Ireland is as follows:

Financial Year 1981–82
	£
Gas Industry	86
Electricity Industry	128

As I indicated in my reply of 21 January [Vol. 35, c. 231]—Government financial support for the National Coal Board is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. No subsidies specifically in respect of its activities in Northern Ireland have been paid to the National Coal Board, but Northern Ireland consumers must be presumed to have benefited from the deficit and operating grants paid to the board and to be affected by its regional pricing policy.