HL Deb 22 May 1980 vol 409 cc1095-6WA
LORD STRABOLGI

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What they estimate would be the savings in the payment of public service pensions in the year 1980/81 if alcoholic drink and tobacco were removed from the retail price index.

The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Lord Soames)

In recent years the price of alcoholic drink and tobacco has moved broadly in line with prices generally. It is unlikely, therefore, that removing these items from the index would significantly affect the cost of public service pensions in 1980/81.