asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the rate of price increases over the past 12 months, at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's consumer protection policies in the light of measures outlined in Her Majesty's Gracious Speech.

As I said earlier, the year-on-year increase recorded in the Retail Price Index for November was 15 per cent. On the second part of the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall take full account of the need to safeguard consumers' interests, wherever appropriate, in the measures we introduce.