HC Deb 14 May 1990 vol 172 c313W
13. Mr. Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received regarding price increases for electricity in England and Wales in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

Mr. Baldry

I have received a number of representations about prices.

22. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the average increase in electricity prices since 1979; what was the increase between 1974 and 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

For domestic customers the average increase since 1979 has been 8 per cent. a year and for industrial customers it was 6 per cent. a year. Between 1974 and 1979 the increases were 20 per cent. a year for domestic customers and 17 per cent. a year for industrial customers.

The last five years of this Government have seen industrial prices decrease by some 7 per cent. in real terms. Under the last five years of Labour they increased by 1 per cent.

Under the last five years of Labour domestic prices increased by 22 per cent. in real terms. Under the last five years of this Government—even after the April increase they will have fallen by approximately 4 per cent. in real terms.

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