HC Deb 30 April 1970 vol 800 cc367-8W
30. Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated increase in retail prices over the last three months expressed as an annual percentage rate.

Mr. Dell:

The rise in the General Index of Retail Prices between 16th December, 1969, and 17th March, 1970, expressed as an annual percentage rate was 7.7 per cent., but the increase to some extent reflects seasonally higher food prices.

35. Mr. Emery

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity by how much in the £ sterling retail prices have risen since November, 1967.

Mr. Dell:

The rise in retail prices, as measured by the General Index of Retail Prices, between 14th November, 1967 and 17th March, 1970, was 2s. 9d. in the £ sterling.

39. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in how many months since November, 1967, the Retail Price Index has risen, in how many it has remained constant, and in how many it has fallen.

Mr. Dell:

In the 28 months from November, 1967, to March, 1970, the General Index of Retail Prices rose in 25, remained constant in 1 and fell in 2.

40. Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the percentage increase in retail prices between 1959 and 1964, and between 1964 and 1969; and what the difference between these two increases represents in terms of total expenditure on items covered by the Retail Price Index in 1969, at current prices.

Mr. Dell:

The percentage rises in retail prices, as measured by the Index of Retail Prices, were 14.7 per cent. between 1959 and 1964 and 23.2 per cent. between 1964 and 1969. The average weekly expenditure of index households in the year ended June, 1969, was about £ 26. The difference between the results of applying the two increases to this average weekly expenditure would be about £ 2 4s.