§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will compare the prices of one pint of milk, one pound of beef sirloin, one loaf of bread, 20 cigarettes, the average price of a three-bedroomecl house and a medium-sized car, in 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1985, taking prices as 100; and if he will show the percentage increases in each case.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI have been asked to reply.
The available component indices of the retail prices index are as follows:
Annual average prices indices, 1979=100 1970 1979 1984 *1985 Fresh milk 30.3 100 150.0 158.1 Beef 24.3 100 142.2 142.2 Bread 29.4 100 141.0 146.3 Cigarettes 38.7 100 198.1 215.6 House prices† 24.4 100 159.5 170.3 Purchase of motor vehicles 31.7 100 128.8 131.3
Percentage increases in these price indices 1979 1979–84 1984–85* Fresh milk 230.0 50.0 5.4 Beef 311.5 42.2 0.0 Bread 240.1 41.0 3.8 Cigarettes 158.4 98.1 8.8 House prices 309.8 59.5 6.8 Purchase of motor vehicles 215.5 28.8 1.9 * Average January—November 1985
† Sources: Department of the Environment mix adjusted house price index for all United Kingdom dwellings.