HC Deb 05 March 1979 vol 963 cc880-1
6. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what change has taken place in the rate of inflation between January 1976 and January 1979; how this compares with January 1971 to January 1974: and if he will give comparable figures for the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America.

The Under-Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (Mr. Robert Maclennan)

Between January 1976 and 1979, the annual rate of inflation in the United Kingdom fell from 23.4 per cent. to 9.3 per cent. Between January 1971 and January 1974 the rate rose under the previous Administration from 8.5 per cent to 12 per cent. The annual percentage inflation rates in January 1971, January 1974 January 1976 and December 1978 for West Germany were 4.2, 7.4, 5.3, 2.4 and for the United States of America were 5.2, 9.4, 6.8, and 9, respectively.

Mr. Roberts

Does my hon. Friend agree that those long-term figures demonstrate the poor record of the Conservative Party on inflation and the considerable achievements of the present Government, with the co-operation of the trade union movement and working people generally?

Mr. Maclennan

I agree with my hon. Friend that the inflation that the Opposition induced during their period of office was largely their own responsibility, and particularly the responsibility of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Barber.

Mr. Adley

Can the Minister remind me and the House about the strange, missing two years? Which Government were in office between February 1974 and January 1976? Did the Minister support them?

Mr. Maclennan

The hon. Gentleman seems to have no memory at all.