§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will publish a table, in ascending order of magnitude, of (a) the cumulative increases in consumer prices since February 1974, and (b) the cumulative increases in food prices since February 1974 in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Italy, France, West Germany and Japan.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe cumulative increases as requested are given below. The overall figures conceal differing trends over time. The latest annual increases, which are also given, illustrate372W the marked reduction in the rate of increase for the United Kingdom relative to that for other countries. The comparisons of increases in food prices are further complicated in that the inclusion of alcoholic drinks and tobacco varies between countries.
CONSUMER PRICES Percentage increase February 1974-April 197[...] Latest 12 months April 1977-April 1978) West Germany 20.3 2.9 United States of America 35.2 6.5 Canada 43.5 8.4 Japan 44.9 3.9 France 51.4 9.0 Italy 91.1* 12.3† United Kingdom 91.3 7.9 * February 1974-March 1978. † March 1977-March 1978.
FOOD PRICES Percentage increase February 1974—April 1978 Latest 12 months (April 1977—April 1978) West Germany*† 20.4 1.8 United States pf America 30.4 7.7 Japan 44.9 3.4 Canada 47.9 14.7 France* 57.4 10.3 United Kingdom 99.8 6.3 Italy 109.3‡ 13.8§ * Includes beverages. †Includes tobacco. ‡February 1974-March 1978. § March 1977-March 1978. Sources:
OECD Main Economic Indicators.
National sources