§ Mr. Neubertasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cumulative increase in the retail price index from February 1974 to the most recent date of assessment and how much of this increase can be attributed to nett increases in taxation over the period.
§ Mr. Joel Barnett, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th April 1978], gave the following information:
Between February 1974 and February 1978 the retail price index increased by 87.4 per cent. It is impossible to apportion this increase precisely, but I estimate that about 7½ per cent. might be attributable to changes in rates of tax and taxation arrangements.