TEXTBOOK prices increased between 20 and 40 per cent this year, according to a 2004 survey by the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC).

But the consumer watchdog body said that this year’s prices are moderate compared to the previous year.

The majority of the increases this year, the CAC said, fell in the range of one to 20 per cent, with very few increases over 40 per cent.

The survey, which was carried out during the months of July and August, and which involved bookshops islandwide, said only three textbook prices were increased above 50 per cent.

One book, Enchanted Island by Ian Serrailier, went up by 94.3 per cent.

The CAC said the survey also revealed a net drop in the prices for some texts. For example, Economics: A Student’s Guide (Fifth Edition) by John Beardshaw was sold in 2003 for $2,438.68, and is this year being sold for $1,718.38, a 30 per cent reduction.

The CAC said a number of book outlets opened in this year, especially in the rural areas, and it is believed that competition has brought down the prices of the books, in addition to a number of stores giving special deals to consumers.

The survey involved 99 textbooks covering 18 subjects, at both primary and secondary levels.

Sixty-fou bookstores islandwide were covered.