XN000022-1981-12-29 — Page 6

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1981

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THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY THREE POINTS IN THE NEW C.P.1. (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN THE NEW C.P.I. (B). DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH AND LIVE POULTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF PORK AND MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS WENT UP. EFFECTS OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY FOUR POINTS IN THE NEW C.P.I. (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN THE NEW C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF LOVER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY.

THE SEVEN-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN BOTH THE NEW C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR WINTER OUTERCLOTHING AND CLOTHING MATERIALS,

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY SEVEN POINTS IN THE NEW C.P.1. (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN THE NEW C、P.I, (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR NEWSPAPERS, MEDICINES, TOILET REQUISITES AND COSMETICS. THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASES WAS PARTLY OFFSET BY DECREASES IN THE PRICES OF JEWELLERY, THE DIFFERENT RATES OF INCREASE RECORDED BETWEEN THE NEW C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) WERE MAINLY A RESULT OF THE DIFFERENT WEIGHTS ASSIGNED TO THEN. FOR NEWSPAPERS AND JEWELLERY.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH THE NEW C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, HAIRDRESSING AND HOUSEHOLD SERVICES.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT+ FOR NOVEMBER 1981, WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

PAYROLL STATISTICS

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THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME STATISTICS ON PAYROLL OUTLAYS WHICH SHOW THE AMOUNT OF CASH PAYMENTS MADE BY EMPLOYERS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

MONTHLY PAYROLL STATISTICS ARE OBTAINED FROM QUARTERLY SURVEYS OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL COVERING MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, INCLUDING MANUFACTURING WHOLESALE/ RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS/HOTELS= AND FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES,

PAYROLL FIGURES AVAILABLE TO DATE COVER THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1980 TO JUNE 1981. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE 1

TOTAL QUARTERLY