To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was (a) the level of the retail prices index and (b) the underlying rate of inflation in June 1989 and at the current time.

The annual rate of increase of the retail prices index was 9·7 per cent. in May 1990. The underlying rate of inflation, as measured by the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments and rates-community charge, was 7 per cent. The corresponding inflation rates in June 1989 were 8·3 per cent. and 5·8 per cent. respectively.