§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that the Retail Price Index rose by 8 per cent. from January to 22nd February, 1972, and that for the six months to February, 1972, the index rose by 2.9 per cent. compared with 2.4 per cent. in the July, 1971, to January, 1972, period; and what was the reason for these increases.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe increase in the Retail Price Index between January and February was not 8 per cent. as stated in the hon. Member's Question, but 0.8 points, or around ½ per cent., which is in line with the general level of increases over the last few months. The change in the percentage increase over the six-month period ending in February, 1972, compared with that ending in January, is a reflection of the fact that the six-monthly rate no longer includes the seasonally low rate of increase last July