§ Mr. Rostasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation, based on the increase in the retail price index over the 12 months to February; and what is the rate based on the last three months calculated to an annual basis.
§ Mr. DellThe retail price index for February will not be published for another month. The retail price index for January, published today, shows an increase of 19.9 per cent. The rate of increase in the RPI in the three months to January expressed at an annual rate is 25.9 per cent.