HC Deb 24 May 1978 vol 950 cc617-9W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation, as defined by the percentage

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I refer the hon. Member to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Carmichael) on 25th November 1977—[Vol. 939, c. 956–58]—for detailed information on 1974–75 to 1976–77. Figures for 1973–74 are given below. I regret that similar detail is not available for earlier years, but totals are shown for 1972–73. The figures do not incorporate any of the changes in the definition of public expenditure announced in "The Government's Plans 1978–79 to 1981–82 ", Cmnd. 7049.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Estimates of total personal income per head by economic planning region are not available for 1970. Estimates for 1971 to 1975, the latest year for which data is available, are given below:

rise in the retail price index over the three months to April, expressed as an annual rate.

Mr. Joel Barnett

In the three months to April the retail price index rose by 11.2 per cent., expressed at an annual rate. The equivalent March figure was 7.4 per cent.; this shows that, because it is based on such a short period, this figure is an unreliable indicator of the current trend.