HC Deb 17 December 1979 vol 976 cc39-40W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, further to the reply which he gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill, Official Report, 22 June, c. 737, if he will update the information provided, where appropriate, tabulating in addition information on the rate of change of retail prices in those countries in May 1978 and May and December of the current year.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My Department does not regularly collect information which would enable me to update accurately the answer given to the hon. Member on 22 June 1979. Figures show- the following year's ceiling quota; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

The restrictions on Turkish cotton yarn during the period 1976–79, and actual imports for the years in question, were as follows:

ing 12-month percentage increases in consumer prices in EEC member States during May 1978, May 1979 and October 1979—the latest month for which figures are generally available—are as follows:

May 1978 May 1979 October 1979
Belgium 4.4 4.0 5.1
Denmark 10.8 7.8 11.3
France 9.0 10.1 11.3
Federal Republic of Germany 2.7 3.7 5.7
Irish Republic 6.1 12.4 13.6*
Italy 11.9 13.7 16.9
Luxembourg 2.9 4.0 5.2
Netherlands 3.5 4.1 4.4
United Kingdom 7.7 10.3 17.2
* August 1979.

Note: Figures are not strictly comparable because of variations in the composition, coverage and compilation of indices in the countries concerned.