HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc511-2W
Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the rise since 1948 in the average prices paid by customers of the nationalised industries, and private industry and commerce, respectively.

Mr. Bryan

The rise between 13th January, 1948, and 15th December, 1970, in the average level of retail prices and charges for goods and services provided mainly by nationalised industries to domestic consumers, included in the general retail prices index, namely coal, coke, gas, electricity, road and rail passenger transport, postal and telephone services, was nearly 245 per cent. During the same period the average level of retail prices for goods and services provided mainly by private industry and commerce, included in the general index of retail prices, rose by about 135 per cent.