§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average rate of inflation in each year since 1978–79.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 9 November 1989]: The table gives the inflation figures, as measured by the retail prices index, for each year requested.
Retail Price Index Annual per cent. change 1978–79 8.4 1979–80 15.8 1980–81 16.3 1981–82 11.5 1982–83 7.1 1983–84 4.7 1984–85 5.0 1985–86 5.9 1986–87 3.2 1987–88 3.9 1988–89 6.0