XN000022-1983-06-24 — Page 8

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1983

COMPARED WITH APRIL 1983, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY FIVE POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY FOUR POINTS IN CPI(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AS A RESULT OF INCREASED SUPPLY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUITS INCREASED OWING TO HIGHER PRICES OF WATER MELONS, HONEYDEW MELONS, BANANAS AND GRAPES. THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS ALSO WENT UP. 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 ONE POINT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MAINTENANCE FEES AND HIGHER WATER CHARGES AS MORE HOUSEHOLDS WERE AFFECTED BY THE NEW WATER RATES DURING THE MONTH.

LOWER PRICES OF CIGARETTES CAUSED THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) TO FALL BY THREE POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI(B).

THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR WENT UP BY THREE POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY FIVE POINTS IN CPI(B) FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES OF SUMMER OUTER-CLOTHING WHICH CAME ONTO THE MARKET DURING THE MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI(A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF TELEVISION SETS, SOUND EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRICAL CONSUMER DURABLES.

THE ONE-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES OF MEDICINES AND JEWELLERY.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY FIVE POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY FOUR POINTS IN CPI(B) OWING TO HIGHER FARES FOR BUS, MTR AND KCR TRIPS.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES WENT UP BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, PACKAGE TOURS AND FUNERAL SERVICES.

PRICE MOVEMENT IN THE FUEL AND LIGHT SECTION WAS INSIGNIFICANT.

(FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED)

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT+ FOR MAY 1983.

BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THIS REPORT MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $3 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.

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