§ 23. Sir George Youngasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the maximum average monthly increase in the retail price index needed for the remaining months of 1976 to ensure that inflation is reduced to single figures by the end of the year.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsTo reach a single-figure inflation rate by the end of the year the average monthly increase in the retail price index must not much exceed 0.6 per cent.
§ 25. Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the effect of the fall in the value of the £ sterling over the past two months on inflation during the current year.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIt is estimated that the first round effect of a 10 per cent. depreciation such as we have seen in the past couple of months would add about 2½ per cent. to the retail price index by the end of the year.
§ 32. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what have been the increases in the retail price index over the past 12 months, over the past three months compounded at an annual rate and since February 1974, respectively.
§ Mrs. Shirley Williams18.9 per cent., 16 per cent. and 50.9 per cent.