§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the percentage by which the cost of(a) water, (b) household coal, (c) gas and (d) electricity for (i) domestic and (ii) industrial consumers in Northern Ireland varies from the average cost of (a) to (d) in Great Britain. [38084]
§ Mr. IngramThe information is as follows
(a) The regional rate contribution to water and sewerage services for the average domestic ratepayer in Northern Ireland 1997–98 was approximately 4 per cent. higher than the equivalent average figure in Scotland and approximately 46 per cent. lower than the average for England and Wales.The charge to industrial consumers for metered water was 68.13p/m3 in Northern Ireland in 1997/98 compared with regional charges ranging from 38.5p/m3 to 109.15 p/m3 in GB.(b) An average figure indicating the percentage by which the cost of household coal in Northern Ireland varies from that in GB is not available.189W(c) Domestic gas prices in Northern Ireland are approximately 8 per cent. higher than the corresponding average price in Great Britain.(d) Domestic electricity prices in Northern Ireland and approximately 22 per cent. higher than the corresponding average price in Great Britain.Comparisons of gas and electricity prices for industrial consumers are not possible as they are subject to confidential contracts between gas and electricity suppliers and consumers in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain.