TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1984
4
THE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1984 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1984 AND APRIL 1983.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE
100)
CPI(A)
CPI(B)
SECTION
APR.83
MAR.84 APR.84
MAR.84 APR.83
APR.84
FOODSTUFFS
146
154
155
146
155
155
HOUSING
135
142
144
134
143
144
FUEL AND LIGHT
140
149
149
141
148
149
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
AND TOBACCO
(FOR HOME
CONSUMPTION)
188
208
208
181
200
201
CLOTHING AND
FOOTWEAR
138
150
155
138
151
156
DURABLE GOODS
109
124
125
111
127
127
MISCELLANEOUS
GOODS
130
149
149
129
147
147
TRANSPORT AND
VEHICLES
149
168
169
152
170
170
SERVICES
147
165
166
145
163
164
ALL ITEMS
142
153
154
140
152
154
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI(A). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS ROSE AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF APPLES AND BANANAS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF EGGS AND FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY ALSO WENT UP, DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF PRESERVED EGGS AND FROZEN CHICKEN. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN CRICA) AND ONE POINT IN CPI(B) DUE TO INCREASED RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 AND FOR SOME HOUSING AUTHORITY GROUP A AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATES AS WELL AS HIGHER WATER CHARGES IN APRIL. THE RISE IN WATER CHARGES BEGAN AFFECTING SOME HOUSEHOLDS DURING THE MONTH AND WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS BY AUGUST 1984.
HIGHER CHARGES FOR TOWNGAS CAUSED THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT TO RISE BY ONE POINT IN CPI(B).
/THE ONE