§ Mr. Simons CoombsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual rate of inflation between February 1974 and May 1979; and what has been the equivalent figure during the present Parliament.
§ Mr. MaplesBetween February 1974 and May 1979 the average annual rate of inflation, as measured by the retail prices index, was 15.4 per cent. per annum. This compares with 7.7 per cent. for the period May 1979 to December 1990.