§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the overall increase in the price of coal, gas and electricity for domestic consumers in England, Scotland and Wales in the last five years.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe price indices for domestic coal, gas and electricity are components of the general index of retail prices. Between 1980 and 1984, the latest period for which data are available, the index for coal increased by 44.7 per cent., that for gas by 82.3 per cent. and that for electricity by 38.7 per cent. 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 coal, gas and electricity rose by only 16.7 per cent., 4.2 per cent. and 2.1 per cent., respectively. Separate indices for England, Scotland and Wales are not readily available and could be derived only at disproportionate cost.