XN000022-1982-07-21 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 22

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B).

RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AS THE SUPPLY OF LOCALLY-GROWN VEGETABLES HAD NOT RETURNED TO NORMAL DURING THE MONTH AFTER THE HEAVY RAINSTORMS IN MAY AND EARLY JUNE.

THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT-WATER FISH ALSO WENT UP OWING TO REDUCED SUPPLY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE WHEN MOST FISHING BOATS STAYED AT HOME TO CELEBRATE THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF PORK AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS. THE EFFECT OF THE MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER FEES CHARGED BY DRIVING INSTRUCTORS, HIGHER FARES CHARGED BY THE PEAK TRAM AND THE HONG KONG/MACAU FERRIES AND HYDROFOILS. ALSO RESPONSIBLE WERE THE INCREASES IN M.T.R. FARES, VEHICLE LICENCE FEES AND IN THE PRICES OF GASOLINE AND MOTOR VEHICLES INTRODUCED IN MAY, AS THEY BEGAN TO SHOW THE FULL IMPACT.

HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING CAUSED THE INDEX FOR SERVICES TO INCREASE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.1. (B).

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT+ FOR JUNE 1982, AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.