The higher food price inflation is evident in production prices. Along with higher maize prices (these) also point to a possible acceleration in retail food price inflation going forward.

There is no particular convention. If we need to move by 25 basis points we will; if we need to move by 200 basis points we will do so.

It’s important for businesses to have this kind of layer of senior managers in terms of succession planning, so you don’t have to scuttle around looking for replacements.

Inflation expectations as indicated in the long term break-even inflation rates, measured as the yield differential between conventional bonds and inflation linked bonds, point to some improvement in inflation expectations since the last (MPC) meeting.

It’s not pass ”©. A number of central banks have been given inflation targets by their governments and I think that’s appropriate because governments are elected and must explain their choices to the electorate.

It is my responsibility to vote. We have to fulfil this responsibility.

We want to see a competitive and stable exchange rate, nothing more, nothing less.

In terms of the technical work done, preliminary indications are that potential output growth will be around 4.5 percent.

These wage developments reflect to some extent entrenched expectations that inflation will remain within the inflation target range.

The bias is on the upside; the bias is on the tightening side; it is not on the loosening side.

The cost of servicing this debt, while still low, nevertheless increased from six and three quarters per cent of disposable income in the third quarter of 2005 to 7% in the fourth quarter.

There is a danger that if debt servicing costs increase, many households will find themselves in a bit of difficulty. And they might.

Indications are that both manufacturing and mining real growth remain under pressure in the first quarter.

The overall effect of the international oil price increases on inflation and output has been far more muted than expected.