§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the increases in prices for raw materials for dentistry in the last year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI have been asked to reply.
I understand that the provisional figures for November 1973 in the Dental Goods Index—published by the Department of Trade and Industry and covering various types of dental equipment as well as materials—indicate, for the range of goods covered, an increase of 4.52 points over the same month last year. The index reflects a base-line of 100 points for the monthly average throughout 1970; the monthly averages for 1971 and 1972 were 105.35 and 110.47 respectively and, allowing for provisional figures for October and November, the monthly average for the 11 months ending November 1973 was 114.87.