§ 26. Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the increase in the retail price index over the last three months, expressed at an annual rate.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe RPI has increased by 19.7 per cent. over the past three months, expressed at an annual rate.
§ Mr. MorrisAfter giving those rather depressing figures, does the Minister think it makes any sense to force up the price of gas, as the Chancellor announced in his recent statement?
§ Mr. MaclennanThe extent to which the price of gas might rise following my right hon. Friend's statement is not known at this stage.