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mpc: 17 In contrast to the Q4 data, the available indicators of output growth for the first quarter of 2006 had been stronger than indicators of expenditure growth, notwithstanding the slightly weaker than expected Index of Production for February and the strong, but slightly lower, level of the CIPS survey balances for March. Although retail sales had risen by 0.5% in February, this had followed a much larger fall in January. Information gathered by the Bank's regional Agents had suggested that retail sales in March had remained subdued. The GfK consumer confidence survey had also weakened.