§ Mr. Knoxasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual increase in the cost of living in the periods, 1945 to 1951, 1952 to 1957, 1958 to 1964, 1965 to 1970 and in 1971.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI have been asked to reply.
The average annual percentage increases as measured by the retail price index are as follows:
Period Average annual percentage increase 1948–51 … … … 6.3 1952–57 … … … 3.8 1958–64 … … … 2.5 1965–70 … … … 5.1 1971 … … … 8.2