HC Deb 27 October 1983 vol 47 c180W
24. Mr. Madden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of inflation, calculated on an annual basis.

47. Mr. Rooker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation.

Mr. Moore

I refer the hon. Members to the oral answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith).

32. Mr. Jim Spicer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the rate of inflation for the end of 1983.

Mr. Lawson

As I made clear on 29 June, the 12-monthly increase in the retail prices index is likely to rise temporarily to 5 to 6 per cent. by the end of 1983. This is because a number of special factors caused the R PI to remain almost unchanged for much of the second half of 1982. It does not imply a resurgence of price inflation: the underlying trend of inflation has been firmly downwards since 1980, and we intend to keep it that way.