§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister on what basis he stated at the conference of the Electrical Trades Union at Blackpool on Wednesday, 23rd November 1977 that the annual increase in the retail price index has fallen for four months in succession and had risen only 34 per cent. in the last six months; and to what extent these reductions have shown themselves in the cost of administering his Department.
§ The Prime MinisterThe rate of increase in the retail prices index over 12 months earlier fell from 17.7 per cent. in June 1977 to 17.6 per cent., 16.5 per cent., 15.6 per cent. and 14.1 per cent. in the following four months. The index rose from 180.3 in April 1977 to 186.5 in October 1977, an increase of 3.4 per cent. It is not possible to give a precise answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, but the costs of my office will obviously be lower than they would have been had the rate of increase in prices not fallen.