§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour what weighting has been given to the industries in public ownership in the Index of Retail Prices over the period 1951 to 1965; and to what extent the percentage increases or decreases have been affected by fluctuations in prices in the industries in public ownership and private ownership, respectively.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe industries in public ownership, comprising the coal, coke, gas, electricity and railway industries, the London Transport Board, postal telephone, etc. and broadcasting services provided a weighting of about 8 per cent, of the index during the period 1951 to 1965.
The Index of Retail Prices rose by about 75 per cent, between January, 1951 and December, 1965. About 12½ per cent, of this rise was due to fluctuations in prices in the industries in public ownership and 87½ per cent, to fluctuations in other industries.