§ Lord Nugent of Guildfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement about the report of the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee.
§ The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)I and my right honourable and learned friend the Paymaster General have today presented the committee's report to the House, and copies are available in the Library. The committee concluded unanimously that the retail prices index fully merits public acceptance and, with the changes it recommends, will continue to do so. These changes are in the main directed to improving the coverage and construction of the index and to clarifying the principles which govern its construction and use. I am accepting all the committee's recommendations.