§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what effect a 10 per cent. rise in petrol prices and in diesel prices would have on the retail price index.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe direct effect of a 10 per cent. rise in petrol prices on the retail price index would be to raise the index by just over a third of 1 per cent. A 10 per cent. rise in diesel oil prices would have only indirect effects on the index. Taken together, the direct and indirect effects of such increases, when these have fully worked through, are estimated to total under ½ per cent. on the RPI.