§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the percentage increases in the prices of electricity and gas, respectively, in each year since 1978.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe information requested is given in the following table.
Percentage increases in the annual average price of electricity and gas Domestic sector Industrial sector Electricity Gas Electricity Gas Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1978 to 1979 9 4 11 14 1979 to 1980 27 17 23 36 1980 to 1981 20 26 16 22 1981 to 1982 10 25 10 6 1982 to 1983 4 12 — 2 Source: Domestic sector—current gas and electricity price indices as published by Department of Employment. The indices are representative of the prices paid by consumers with metered supply and quarterly billing.
Industrial sector—current gas and electricity price indices as published by Department of Energy. The indices are based on average revenue per unit for sales to industrial consumers.
Comparable data for 1983 to 1984 will not be available until after the end of 1984. There was no increase in electricity or gas prices in 1983.