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Meanwhile, those components with slower year-on-year increases in prices than the overall average were durable goods (2.0% in CPI(A) and 2.2% in Composite CPI); meals bought away from home (3.6% in CPI(A) and 3.3% in Composite CPI); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.2% in CPI(A) and 4.2% in Composite CPI); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (5.4% in CPI(A) and 5.2% in Composite CPI) and transport (6.0% in CPI(A) and 5.6% in Composite CPI).

Comparing January 1997 with December 1996, both the CPI(A) and CPI(B) remained unchanged. On the other hand, the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI decreased by 0.5% and 0.1% respectively.

For the three months ended January 1997, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, both higher by 6.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 6.2% and 6.3% respectively.

For the 12-month ended January 1997, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 6.1% and 6.4% respectively than the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 6.5% and 6.3% respectively.

The seasonally adjusted monthly rates of increase in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged at 0.4% and 0.3% respectively during the three months ended January 1997. The corresponding increases for the Hang Seng CPI and Composite CPI were 0.3% and 0.4% respectively.

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

The Consumer Price Index Report

More details are given in the "Consumer Price Index Report" for January 1997, which is available at $28 per copy from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, Ground Floor, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; or from the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19/F., 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 at 2805 6403.