§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will explain how the retail price index is calculated, including the system of weighting for 1977.
§ Mr. GoldingI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 19th January 1977—[Vol. 924, c. 129–30] —concerning the explanation of the method of calculating the index. Details of the weights to be used in 1977 in the calculation of the general index of retail prices were published on page 236 of the March 1977 issue of theDepartment of Employment Gazette.