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mpc: 25 The momentum in consumption was difficult to judge. Consumption growth had picked up since its low point in early 2005 but the rate of growth had more often been below its previous average than above. And the most recent data on retail sales had also been mixed ­ strong for October, but weaker surveys for November. These data were probably consistent with the Committee's central projection that consumption growth would pick up only to around its historical average as the economy rebalanced towards investment and net trade. There had been some news on the housing market where prices had clearly risen faster than expected and, for some members, this was judged to be an upside risk to the near-term outlook for consumption.