§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the estimated effect on the number of consumers using gas in Belfast as a result of the instruction by the Department of Economic Development to put up gas prices by 7.75 per cent.
§ Mr. ButlerThe Department of Economic Development did not instruct Belfast Gas to increase prices. It is a condition of Government deficit funding of gas undertakings that tariffs are adjusted in line with increases in certain specified costs.
Belfast gas prices had not increased since 1981 and it is considered that the modest increase which has now taken place should not deter consumers from continuing to use gas.