To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the proportion by which electricity prices will have risen for heavy industrial users between the years 1986–87 and 1990–91.

Prices for all industrial users have risen by 12 per cent. in current terms, equivalent to a reduction of 5 per cent. in real terms, between 1986–87 and the first two quarters of 1989–90. Figures beyond the second quarter of 1989–90 are not yet available.