§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will give the actual or estimated rise in the price of local authority rates, gas, water, electricity, train and bus fares, national insurance contributions and rents between October 746W 1974 and October 1976 and the prices of these items on these two dates.
§ Mr. MaclennanAccording to information used to compile the General Index of Retail Prices, percentage increases for each of these items are as follows:
Since charges and tariffs vary considerably according to quality and quantity, actual prices at each date cannot be given.
Increase between October 1974 and October 1976 Per cent. Rents … 31 Rates and water charges … 59 Gas … 41 Electricity … 74 Train and bus fares … 71 Graduated scales were introduced in 1975 for national insurance contributions, and the percentage increase will vary according to earnings. Tables of national insurance contributions for all categories of contributors at all levels of earnings are contained in Social Security Statistics 1975 (HMSO) to be published shortly.