The rate of inflation in Bermuda has slowed slightly to three percent in July, according to figures released by the Government yesterday.

The Consumer Price Index, which is used as the measure of inflation in Bermuda, stood at 3.1 percent in June.

According to the statistics department, that all-items index remained at 116.9 points and there was no change in the cost of goods between June and July 2001.

The fall in the average cost of fuel pushed down the Transport and Vehicles sector, which dropped overall by 0.7 percent as premium and mixed fuel fell by 4.7 and 4.5 percent respectively. Airfares also declined in price by 1.9 percent.

But these drops were offset by an increase in room rates for hotels, up 0.5 percent and car repair and maintenance, which rose 5.3 percent.

The cost of food continued to rise, going up 0.3 percent, with the highest price rises in spare ribs (4.3 percent), celery (3.6 percent, loaf of bread (2.3 percent) and grapes (2.2 percent).

The cost of rent climbed 0.3 percent with the average rents for both controlled and decontrolled properties up by 0.2 percent during the month.

There was no change to the cost of clothing and footware, but the cost of tobacco and liquor fell by 0.2 percent which was a direct result in the declining cost of beer which fell by 0.6 percent. However the average cost of wine rose by 0.1 percent.

Fuel and power advanced 0.6 percent during July. The FAC, which adjusts to the world fuel costs, rose 7.5 percent, pushing the cost of electricity for households up by nine percent. But here was a drop in the cost of a cylinder of propane gas which dropped by an average of 4.1 percent.

The cost of household goods, services and supplies rose by 3.2 percent, with the rise attributed mainly to the increase in the cost of funeral services, up by 3.6 percent. Cleaning materials fell by 0.1 percent.

Education, recreation and reading dropped by one percent, with boat fuel dropping by 4.7 percent and pet cost and upkeep down by 0.1 percent.

Health and personal care remained unchanged during the month, but medical supplies for self prescribed rose by 0.2 percent.