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Commenting on this moderation, a Government spokesman said slower increases in the prices of food, particularly vegetables, was the main contributory factor.
Also relevant was the decelerated increase in the prices of clothing and footwear.
The other components generally recorded stable to slightly more moderate price increases.
As for transport, the relatively faster price increase was largely due to fare revision by the three railways in May.
Comparing May 1995 with May 1994, relatively faster price increases than the overall average increase were recorded for housing (12.4% in the CPI(A), 13.8% in the CPI(B) and 13.1% in the Composite CPI); miscellaneous services (11.4%, 10.5% and 10.3%); fuel and light (9.9%, 10.1% and 9.7%); and clothing and footwear (9.4%, 9.9% and 9.2%).
On the other hand, relatively slower price increases than the overall average increase were recorded for durable goods (4.3% in the CPI(A), 4.2% in the CPI(B) and 4.3% in the Composite CPI); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (6.5%, 5.8% and 6.2%); meals bought away from home (7.0%, 6.8% and 7.2%); transport (7.3%, 7.5% and 7.4%); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (8.1%, 8.0% and 8.1%); and miscellaneous goods (8.3%, 7.2% and 7.5%).
Comparing May 1995 with April 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by 0.4% and 0.5% respectively. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.6%.
Taking the first five months together, the increases in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged at 9.4% and 9.9% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.7%.
For the three months ended May 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 9.4% and 9.8% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.6%.
For the 12 months ended May 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 8.9% and 9.4% respectively than in the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.4%.