§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the average domestic price per comparable unit of (a) gas, (b) electricity and (c) domestic fuel oil in (i) May 1979 and (ii) May 1984, in the following countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, the United States of America and Canada.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithComparable information for May 1979 and May 1984 is not readily available for the countries specified. The available data for the second quarters of 1979 and 1984 are shown in the table:
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe information was obtained from the National Coal Board, which subsequently informed me that the figures that it had given related to the number of persons against whom proceedings had been instituted rather than the number of convictions. I am pleased to say that this mistake in its advice was quickly spotted by the NCB, and the correct figure for the number of convictions in Scotland relating to the coal dispute was given to the House last week. As at 6 March, proceedings have been instituted against 1046 persons, and 583 persons have been convicted. Around 251 cases have not yet been completed.
I wrote last week to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) and confirmed the correct figures to him.