§ 38. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response there has been to his appeal for lower prices.
§ Mr. BarberThere have been downward movements in recent months in some of the components of the principal price indices, but it is impossible to say to what extent this represents a response to the statement my right hon. Friend has made. We believe there is scope for further reductions and we hope to see them take place in the coming months.
§ Mr. HyndHas the Minister noticed that the only substantial response has been from British European Airways, a nationalised industry? If private indus- 554 try will not respond to his appeal for voluntary reductions, will not the Government consider bringing pressure to bear?
§ Mr. BarberI think my right hon. Friend has made his position perfectly clear. I certainly do not accept what the hon. Gentleman has said about price reductions. I do not want to take up the time of the House, but I must mention that the prices of one important category of goods, durable goods—which, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is a sub-index of the Retail Price Index—have been edging down during recent months.