HC Deb 15 May 1989 vol 153 c104W
21. Mr. Ward

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on trends in the ratio of energy usage to gross domestic product since 1973.

Mr. Parkinson

In terms of primary energy, in 1973 the United Kingdom consumed 1.36 tonnes of coal equivalent per £1,000 of GDP (at 1985 factor cost). In 1988 the ratio had fallen to 1 tonne of coal equivalent per £1,000 of GDP in the same price terms. This represents a reduction of 26.5 per cent. or 2 per cent. per annum.