11.   Input prices rose and the fall in output prices slowed, reflecting strong domestic and overseas commodity prices.

12.   Input prices dropped to reflect lower domestic commodity prices stemming from the weaker yen and reduced speculative demand, and the fall in output prices accelerated.

13.   Declines in output prices slowed from the previous survey, while increases in input prices accelerated due to rising international commodity prices.

14.   These figures showed that output prices had risen slightly more sharply than analysts had expected.

15.   The Treasury report said that to a lesser extent there had also been a pick-up in manufacturing output prices.

16.   The CSO said sharp falls in petrol prices had played some part in depressing output prices in October.