§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Energy by how much, in percentage terms, energy prices to the consumer have risen in the last five years; and if he will compare this figure with the overall rate of inflation over the same period.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe price index for all domestic fuel and light increased by 52.9 per cent. between 1980 and 1984. The retail price index increased by 33.4 per cent. over the same period. However, between April 1983 and December 1984, when the RPI increased by 7.8 per cent. the indices for gas and electricity, the two most widely used domestic fuels, rose by only 4.2 per cent. and 2.1 per cent., respectively.