asked the Taoiseach the increase in the volume of retail sales between (a) May 1976 and November 1976; (b) November 1976 and May 1977; (c) May 1977 and November 1977.

It is estimated that the volume of retail sales, adjusted for seasonality, rose by:—(i) 3.9 per cent between May 1976 and November 1976; (ii) 3.4 per cent between November 1976 and May 1977; (iii) 0.4 per cent between May 1977 and November 1977.