§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent he estimates the cost of living will rise as a result of the recently implemented increase in postal charges, the rise proposed in the television licence and the several increases in petrol and the one announced; and when he expects these prices to fall.
§ Mr. BryanI estimate that the recently-implemented increases in postal charges, the announced rise in the charges for television licences, and the increases in petrol prices which took effect at the end of December will raise the General Index542W of Retail Prices all-items figure by about one-third of a point. A further increase of lp a gallon in the price of petrol would raise the index by a further one-eight of a point.