asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the cost of living index headings under which no increase has been shown since 14th March, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living Index.
2.
The consumer price index is complied at mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November. Figures for mid-November are not yet available.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement indicating those items included in the index which either decreased in price or showed no change between mid-February, 1973, and mid-August, 1973.
Following is the statement:
Items which decreased in price or showed no change between mid-February and mid-August, 1973: Mutton (neck), Potatoes, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Milk, pasteurised, Toothpaste, Camera films, black and white, Rates and water charges (owner occupied dwellings), Matches, Newspapers and periodicals, Telephone and telegrams.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say when the mid-November figures will be available?
I understand there is a lapse of roughly two to three weeks between the index date in the middle of the month, which concludes the quarter and the time at which the figures are available.
This is now going into the third week of November. Can we get an assurance that these figures will be available before next Tuesday week?
I cannot give that assurance.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us the number of index headings under which an increase has been shown?
No, but I could give the Deputy the number in which there has been either a decrease or no increase, 11, and some of these items are multiple items.
In how many hundreds or thousands of items has there been an increase?
That is a separate question.