§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Govern 298W ment's anti-inflation programme, the price of alcoholic drinks rose by 26 per cent., including the duty, during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(2) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of tobacco rose by 31 per cent., including duty, during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(3) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of housing for owner-occupiers rose by 9 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-Janury, compared with the previous year;
(4) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of sugar, preserves and confectionery, rose by 5 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(5) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of fresh dried, and canned fruit rose by 13 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(6) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of beverages and soft drinks rose by 21 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(7) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of eggs rose by 14 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(8) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of cheese rose by 20 per cent. during the 12-month 299W period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(9) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of milk rose by 70 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(10) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of butter rose by 33 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January compared with the previous year;
(11) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme the price of fish rose by 19 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(12) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of meat and bacon rose by 22 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(13) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme the price of flour, cereals, biscuits and cakes rose by 15 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(14) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of bread rose by 19 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year:
(15) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of electricity rose by 41 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January compared with the previous year;
(16) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of rates 300W and water charges rose by 42 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(17) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of milk, cheese and eggs rose by 44 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(18) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, fares rose by 46 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(19) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of vegetables rose by 67 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(20) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, postage and telephone charges rose by 74 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(21) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of men's suits rose by 14 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(22) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of pottery, glassware and hardware rose by 21 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(23) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of radio, television sets and domestic electrical appliances rose by 24 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
301W(24) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of furniture, floor coverings and soft furnishings rose by 14 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(25) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain now and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of heating oil rose by 24 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(26) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of electricity rose by 41 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(27) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of gas rose by 35 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(28) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of solid fuel rose by 27 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year;
(29) whether she will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why, in view of the Government's anti-inflation programme, the price of unfurnished house rents rose by 14 per cent. during the 12-month period ended mid-January, compared with the previous year.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that the retail price index in the 12 months to the middle of January rose by 23.5 per cent. against 20 per cent. in 1974, 12 per cent. in 1973 and I per cent. in 1972; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain the reasons for this, in view of the Government's anti-inflation policy.
§ Mr. MaclennanI have been asked also to reply to the Question addressed to the Secretary of State for Employment.
302WThe increases in industrial prices listed by the hon. Member reflect a variety of past cost pressures and other adverse circumstances. Since August 1975, the year-on-year figure for the Retail Price Index has fallen for six successive months—the first time since inflation began to accelerate from the summer of 1972. The Government's anti-inflation policy has helped to turn the general tide and no special investigations are called for.
§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied with progress made so far towards the realisation of her forecast that inflation will be reduced to an annual rate of 10 per cent. for the end of the summer; and, if so, whether the figure is to be calculated on a year-on-year basis, or by some other method.
§ Mr. MaclennanI will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will publish the three-month rate of inflation to January 1976, projected as an annual rate, in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, West Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and the United States of America, respectively.
§ Mr. MaclennanI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Morrison) on 1st April.—[Vol. 908, c. 560.]