§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much revenue has gone to the Government from the gas and electricity industries for each of the last five years at constant prices.
§ 1. Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe British Gas Corporation has incurred the following liabilities for tax and gas levy in the last five years:
£ million Taxation Gas levy 1978–79 236 — 1979–80 217 — 1980–81 167 95 1981–82 128 264 1982–83 132 331 Notes:
Source: British Gas Corporation annual report: and accounts.
2. Figures are at constant 1978–79 prices.
3. Figures rounded to the nearest £1 million.
The electricity supply industry is not at present liable forcorporation tax.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in gas and electricity prices in each year since 1979; and how these compare with the rate of inflation.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe percentage increases in domestic gas and electricity prices indices, along with those in the RPI, were as follows:
Gas per cent. Electricity per cent. RPI per cent. 1979–80 16.6 27.2 17.9 1980–81 26.1 20.2 11.9 1981–82 24.7 9.8 8.6 Q1 to Q3 1983 — — 3.4 Source: General Index of Retail Prices, Department of Employment.