HC Deb 31 March 1983 vol 40 cc261-2W
Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the major electricity-intensive industries about preferential tariffs in European countries; and what indication he has that firms have transferred plant abroad to benefit from such tariffs.

Mr. John Moore

I have received a number of representations concerning special tariff arrangements to help intensive electricity using industries in other EC

Typical fuel prices to industrial consumers
All Prices in US dollars
Steam Coal

(per tonne)

1st quarter 1979 1st quarter 1980 1st quarter 1981 1st quarter 1982 4th quarter 1982
Belgium 28.97 30.05 27.14 48.34 NA
Netherlands 38.92 56.52 61.89 74.36 NA
Luxembourg NA NA NA NA NA
Denmark 72.75 80.01 104.97 113.26 90.28
France NA NA NA NA NA
F R Germany 87.45 96.36 100.45 99.03 97.04
Italy 39.00 53.75 65.00 73.60 NA
Ireland NA NA 77.06 67.57 80.96
Greece NA NA NA NA NA
UK 49.38 74.13 36.46 87.12 80.75
USA 34.80 37.48 40.22 42.20 46.40
Japan 39.35 43.91 59.09 66.35 NA

Heavy fuel oil

(per tonne)

1st quarter 1979 1st quarter 1980 1st quarter 1981 1st quarter 1982 4th quarter 1982
Belgium 88.00 170.00 237.98 181.30 183.31
Netherlands 104.48 179.56 228.13 201.33 196.92
Luxembourg 111.08 164.72 256.22 184.92 187.84
Denmark 103.21 175.72 244.42 203.73 203.07
France NA NA NA NA NA
F R Germany 117.50 186.02 227.57 198.66 NA
Italy 92.76 154.68 198.26 152.80 NA
Ireland 142.31 218.74 214.00 241.34 234.29
Greece 81.38 101.60 168.24 186.25 NA
UK 103.81 199.87 227.34 211.89 196.28
USA 94.11 174.56 215.76 198.67 195.00
Japan NA NA NA NA NA

countries. Relative electricity prices are one of the factors which a firm may take into consideration is deciding where to site plant, but I have no evidence of firms transferring plant abroad on these grounds. Generally, industrial electricity prices in England and Wales are broadly in line with those elsewhere in the EC.