Rise in electricity tariffs deferred

Press, 10 December 1982, Page 2

Rise in electricity tariffs deferred

Parliamentary reporter The Government has decided to defer the question of any rise in the bulk electricity tariffs, the wholesale cost of electricity supplied by the' Ministry of Energy. This was because any decision about the bulk tariff had to be taken within the wider context of the Government's measures for the period after the wage-price freeze, said the Minister of Energy. Mr Birch. He had told the Electrical Supply Authorities' Association conference last September that the question would be deferred, but that it would be considered by the Government again in December. The Government would now expect the electrical

supply authorities to hold their present retail prices beyond April 1, 1983. and until there were any changes in the bulk tariff. It would not be until the time of this deferred price increase that any change was made in the form of the bulk supply tariff. Mr Birch said. This change in form was aimed at a better allocation of costs among different types of consumers and would bring a greater degree of equity into electricity tariffs. Although the effects on most consumers would be small, the matter was an important one and had to be proceeded with as part of energy policy, he said.