§ 33. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is his forecast of the trend in prices in the coming year.
§ Mr. HattersleyMy Department does not publish forecasts of the trend in prices, but the effects of the depreciation in sterling and the drought are likely to check the progress which has been made to date and cause the rate of price increases to 3W stabilise at or around the present level for some months.
§ 36. Mr. Padleyasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will make a statement on the rate of price increases at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. HattersleyI have nothing further to add to my earlier answers on the rate of inflation.