asked the Secretary of State for Energy what will be the total increases in gas and electricity prices for 1982; and on what dates he expects that the increases will take place.

The British Gas Corporation announced on 25 February that domestic gas prices would rise by 12 per cent on 1 April and a further 10 per cent. on 1 October. Not all the area electricity boards have yet finalised their tariffs for 1982–83, but I would anticipate that price increases for domestic consumers of under 10 per cent. from 1 April will be announced shortly.