§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is now 85W the price index for eating out; how this differs from the index for meals on British transport, and the cost of food purchased in stores; what has been the percentage increase since 1st April, 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950 and 1945, respectively; and what was the index on these dates.
§ Mr. BryanNo price index for eating out was compiled by my Department before January, 1968. The index rose by 10.3 per cent. between 21st April, 1970, and 16th March, 1971, and by 30.2 per cent. between 16th January, 1968, and 16th March, 1971. The rises in the index for food purchased in shops in the same periods were 6.6 per cent., and 23.4 per cent. respectively. I regret that I do not have an index for meals on British Transport.