§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors are used to obtain the retail sales index; what representations he has received concerning the retail sales index in the last year; and what plans he has to reform it. [25918]
§ Mr. NelsonThe monthly retail index is based on a statutory inquiry which collects figures of retail sales from a sample of 5,000 retailers. All types of retailer are included in the sample. Detailed price indicators from the retail price index are used to convert the sales index to constant 1990 prices and the X11 seasonal adjustment routine, widely used within government and by statistical offices in other countries, applied to remove normal seasonal variations.
During 1994, representations were received from the then Minister for Industry concerning the format of the Central Statistical Office's "First Release." It has also been the subject of one parliamentary question and one Minister's case.
The inquiry has recently been reviewed as a result of the Prime Minister's instructions on the control of statistical surveys. Copies of the report of the review of the short period retailing inquiries are available from the House of Commons Library.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what range in size of companies is used for the formulation of the retail sales index. [25919]
85W
§ Mr. NelsonThe size of the businesses used in the formulation of the retail sales index extends from the VAT threshold of £58,000 turnover per annum upwards.