§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the increase in the cost of living in Northern Ireland since January 1971 to the latest convenient date; what are the arrangements in Northern Ireland for controlling price increases; and what are the Departments to which complaints about price increases should be directed.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThere is no separate retail price index for the various regions of the United Kingdom. From January 1971 to November 1972 the overall retail price index for the United Kingdom increased by 15.2 per cent.
The Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 applies in Northern Ireland where arrangements for controlling price increases are similar to those operating in the rest of the United Kingdom. Inquiries and complaints about price increases should be directed as follows:
- (1) on food and drink, to the Ministry of Agriculture, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB;
- (2) on all other items, to the Ministry of Commerce (Prices Unit), Chichester House, 64 Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 4JX.