HC Deb 06 November 1975 vol 899 cc261-2W
16. Mr. Canavan

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate of the rate of inflation.

Mr. Healey

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 27th October.—[Vol. 898, c. 1005.]

21. Mr. Bryan Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the contents of the report "Problems of Inflation" emanating from within the European Commission; and whether he will make a statement on his policies towards its recommendations.

Mr. Joel Barnett

The report is only an interim one submitted to the Commission by an independent group of experts and has yet to be discussed by Member States. It would be inappropriate to reach conclusions about its recommendations until the final version is available.

31. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what method and over what period he proposes to calculate the annual rate of inflation which will have been achieved by the end of 1976.

Mr. Healey

As we stated in the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation", we are determined that by the end of 1976 the year-on-year increase in prices will be down to single figures. This refers to the increase in the Retail Price Index over a 12-month period, expressed as a percentage of the index at the beginning of that period.

Sir John Rodgers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the document prepared by COI on inflation, for distribution to British industry and indicate when it will be distributed.

Mr. Denzil Davies

180,000 copies of Treasury Broadsheet No. 10 "The Attack on Inflation" were distributed between 9th and 12th September to schools, colleges, universities, industry, trade associations and private individuals. In addition, the Government publication "The Fight Against Inflation" has been widely distributed.