States' for at least three to six more months.

The Department of Statistics announced this week that the rate was 3.1 percent in the 12 months to November, the same rate as recorded over the last two months.

"It is very good news,'' commented Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

"Being on par with the US will help us from a competitive point of view by keeping the prices of goods down.'' There were some small price increases, but they were offset by decreases in the cost of fuel, cigarettes and selected wines.

Higher price labels on some popular magazines and pet food combined with higher running costs for powered pleasure boats caused a .3 percent advance in the education, recreation and reading sector's consumer price index.

The indices of food, household appliances, health and personal care sectors all showed increases of .2 percent.

Similarly the indices for rent, clothing and footwear and transport all showed a common marginal advance of .1 percent.

In the tobacco and liquor sector, which recorded a net no-change result, an overall increase of 1.3 percent in the retail price of the most popular brands of beer was almost offset by a 1.4 percent overall decrease in the price of selected wines sold through retail outlets.

Completing the statistical balancing act, the average retail price of cigarettes declined .1 percent.

The largest monthly change occurred in the fuel and power sector, which declined .9 percent in response to a 9.7 percent drop in the fuel adjustment component of domestic usage charges.

Dr. Saul said he believed the inflation rate would continue to hover around 3.1 percent for the next three to six months.

He added Government had helped keep the inflation rate down by keeping costs and wage settlements down.

The monthly change in November was .1 percent as the all-item index advanced marginally from 140.7 in October to 140.8.