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Meanwhile, those components with relatively slower year-on-year price increases than the overall average were durable goods (1.2% in CPI(A), 1.3% in CPI(B), 4.5% in Hang Seng CPI and 2.2% in Composite CPI); fuel and light (4.4%, 4.3%, 4.2% and 4.3%); meals bought away from home (4.4%, 4.2%, 2.2% and 3.8%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (4.6%, 4.6%, 4.1% and 4.5%); and transport (6.7%, 6.6%, 6.2% and 6.5%).

Taking the first four months together, the increase in CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged at 6.5% and 7.2% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 8% and 7.2% respectively.

For the 12 months ended April 1996, CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 7.7% and 8.3% respectively than the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 8.9% and 8.3% respectively.

The new 1994/95-based CPI series, though not long enough for year-on-year comparison, can be used to analyse the short-term month to month price movements. Comparing April 1996 with March 1996, the 1994/95-based CPI(A), CPI(B), Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI all increased by 1.2%.

The seasonally adjusted monthly rate of increase in the 1994/95-based CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged 1% and 0.9% respectively during the three months ended April 1996. The corresponding increases for Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 0.7% and 0.9% respectively.

Further details are shown in Tables 1 and 2 and Charts 1 to 4.

More details are given in the Consumer Price Index Report for April 1996, which is on sale at $37 per copy from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. It is also available from the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

For local and overseas mailings, contact should be made with the Information Services Department, 28th floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

For enquiries about the indices, please telephone the Consumer Price Index Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6403.