To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for the four years leading up to the privatisation of the electricity industry and for the four years after (a) the retail prices index and (b) domestic electricity index, including all taxes at the relevant rate. [38179]
[holding answer 20 October 1995]: The new electricity companies were established in March 1990 and flotation occurred at several different stages thereafter. For convenience, 1990 has been taken as the year of privatisation. The information requested is set out in the table.
| Year | Retail Prices Index (all items) | 1Domestic electricity |
| 1986 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 1987 | 104.1 | 99.5 |
| 1988 | 109.3 | 104.9 |
| 1989 | 117.8 | 112.5 |
| 1990 | 128.9 | 121.7 |
| 1991 | 136.5 | 133.9 |
| 1992 | 141.5 | 140.9 |
| 1993 | 143.8 | 140.4 |
| 1994 | 147.4 | 2136.9 |
Note:
1 The electricity component of the RPI.
2 Excludes VAT at 8 per cent. from 1 April 1994. The figure including VAT for 1994 would be 145.0.
Source:
Retail Prices Index compiled by the Central Statistical Office.
Domestic electricity prices, excluding VAT, have fallen faster than the all items RPI since 1990. Further price falls can be expected as a result of additional reductions in electricity distribution charges which take effect on 1 April 1996.