§ 50. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the rate of consumer price rises, October 1972 to October 1973, compares with other European countries, in particular Switzerland and Denmark, according to figures available from international sources.
§ Mr. NottOur rate of consumer price inflation over the latest available 12-month period compares favourably with262W many European countries. The latest annual figures show that the rate in the United Kingdom was 8.9 per cent., while in Switzerland and Denmark it was 8.3 and 8.8 per cent. respectively. The full figures are given in the following table:
CHANGES IN CONSUMER PRICES Country Month for which latest figures available Percentage increase over latest available 12 month period United Kingdom August 1973 8.9 Switzerland July 1973 8.3 Denmark June 1973 8.8 Austria July 1973 7.0 Belgium July 1973 6.6 Luxembourg July 1973 5.7 Finland July 1973 12.1 France July 1973 7.4 Germany July 1973 7.2 Greece July 1973 13.1 Iceland May 1973 18.2 Ireland May 1973 11.7 Italy July 1973 11.8 Netherlands July 1973 8.4 Norway July 1973 7.4 Portugal July 1973 12.0 Spain June 1973 12.1 Sweden July 1973 6.6 Turkey February 1973 11.3 Yugoslavia July 1973 19.7 Sources:
Monthly Digest of Statistics—September 1973.
OECD Main Economic Indicators—August and September 1973.