§ Mr. ButterfillTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the annual rate of growth for retail sales for the last two years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 1 May 1990]: The volume of retail sales increased by 6.9 per cent. between 1987 and 1988 and by 2.2 per cent. between 1988 and 1989. Retail sales growth has clearly slowed sharply in response to monetary policy.