HC Deb 23 November 1987 vol 123 cc20-1W
29. Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much he envisages electricity prices having to rise in 1989–90.

Mr. Parkinson

The increase for 1989–90 will be a matter for the electricity industry to decide, in the light of the financial target it has agreed with the Government. It is too early to say what such an increase might be, but it is likely to be significantly less than that for 1988–89.

34. Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received protesting at the impact of increased electricity prices upon pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

My right hon. Friend has received representations from pensioners' organisations and is making arrangements for a discussion.

46. Mr. Eastham

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the average price of electricity in England and Wales compared with France, West Germany, Japan and the United States of America expressed as pence per kilowatt hour.

Mr. Michael Spicer

In its latest "International Comparison of Electricity prices" the Electricity Council calculated the average price of electricity in 1985–86 at 4.78p/kWh in France, 6.18p/kWh in West Germany, 10.51p/kWh in Japan and 6.08p/kWh in the United States of America. The average price in England and Wales was 4.65p/kWh.

56. Dr. Moonie

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from industry about the proposed increase in electricity prices.

Mr. Parkinson

Most of the representations I have received from industry have been based on premature speculation about the effect of the increase in electricity prices on industrial tariffs. Tariffs for individual classes of consumer are a matter for the electricity industry to decide, but rises in industrial prices are not expected to be significantly higher than the overall average.

63. Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the intended levels of consumer electricity prices upon privatisation.

Mr. Parkinson

Privatisation, by introducing competition and increasing efficiency, will have a beneficial effect on prices.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans to discuss the proposed increases in electricity prices with pensioners' organisations.

Mr. Michael Spicer

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) today.