asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the increase in food prices since 1st January, 1972, to the latest available date.

14.

asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the percentage increase in food prices since June, 1970, to the latest available date.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

The price index for food as ascertained in connection with the consumer price index inquiries is calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. The percentage increase in this index in the relevant periods concerned was as follows: mid-May, 1970 to mid-August, 1972, 21.2 per cent; mid-August, 1970 to mid-August, 1972, 22.4 per cent; mid-November, 1971 to mid-August, 1972, 11.3 per cent; mid-February, 1972 to mid-August, 1972, 7.1 per cent.

The corresponding increase for Britain was only 3.8 per cent in the same period and is our figure not alarming when compared with that of Britain? Would the Parliamentary Secretary like to make some comment on that?

Could I ask the Taoiseach how this compares with what he said on the adjournment debate last July, that our rate of inflation was 6 per cent? How does what happened over the past six months compare with that kind of thing?

There were some seasonal fluctuations which were exaggerated this year.

That is a damn good answer.

The Deputy is the kind of economist who makes any situation suit his own argument.

The Taoiseach did not apply that to political economists —emphasising "political".

The Taoiseach has answered supplementaries because he thought he had a good case but he has not got a good case here on the basis of a comparison of 7.1 with 3.8 per cent in Britain. It is a damning indictment of a Government who cannot do anything about that situation.

The comparisons are totally invidious.

Invidious—that is a new one.

In July the Government advisers told us it was 6 per cent but it had increased to 12 per cent by August. Why have the Government not an answer to this? Why is it that in this country we cannot get worthwhile information from the Government?

We have not got a worthwhile Government.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary give the answer to No. 14?

The two were taken together.

I will have to have another look.