§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in domestic gas and electricity prices, respectively, in each year since 1979; and, in each case, what has been the overall increase between 1979 and 1985 in cash and real terms.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe information requested is given in the table below:
Percentage increases in average domestic gas and electricity prices Gas per cent. Electricity per cent. 1979 to 1980 17 27 1980 to 1981 26 20 1981 to 1982 25 10 1982 to 1983 12 4 1983 to 1984 4 1 1984 to third quarter 1985* 5 5 1979 to third quarter 1985* In current terms 124 85 In deflated terms† 36 12 Source:
Gas and electricity price components of the general index of retail prices as published by the Department of Employment.
* Comparable data for 1985 as a whole will not become available until after the end of the year. Data for the third quarter of 1985 are the latest available.
† Obtained by deflating the current gas and electricity price indices by the retail price index for all items excluding fuels.