§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in its consideration of housing costs, the retail price index advisory committee will examine the conditions of the forthcoming housing benefit review.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Housing benefit review is to examine the structure and scope of the housing benefit scheme and its administration by local authorities, whereas the RPI advisory committee will be considering the way housing benefits, however administered, should be treated in the retail price index. There is thus little overlap between the two inquiries but to the extent that the conclusions of the review are relevant to the construction of the index we shall be asking the advisory committee to take them into account.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the retail price index advisory committee to report.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe committee has a number of difficult issues to consider and it would be unrealistic to expect a full report before mid-1985.