§ Mr. Nottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his estimates of the gross domestic product deflator, the aggregate price index of public sector costs and prices on which the relative price effect (RPE) is computed, the principal component indices of the aggregate public sector price index, distinguishing, inter alia, wages and salaries, construction costs and the prices of other bought-in goods and services as far as possible, and the weights of each component in the aggregate index for each financial year from 1968–69 to 1975–76.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe relative price effect is not calculated by reference to an aggregate index of public sector costs, though an implied price index can be derived by comparison of the current and constant price figures. The method of calculation is explained in the Handbook on Methodology and in more detail in an article in Statistical News No. 18, August 1972. Changes in the implied index of total public expenditure and of the general level of prices—the GDP deflator—between 1968–69 and 1974–75 are shown below. I am not prepared to give further detail of public expenditure prices or forecasts for 1975–76.
cost of administering all the revenue duties—estimated to yield £4,985 million in 1975–76—is £25.5 million. The estimated yield for the duties on spirits, beer and wine in 1975–76 is £1,475 million.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are exclusively employed in administering Customs and Excise duty on tobacco; what is the estimated annual cost of administering this duty; and what is its estimated gross yield for the current financial year.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe administration of the duty on tobacco is carried out 693W by Customs and Excise staff as a part of their general work in the control and collection of the Revenue duties. The estimated annual cost of administering all the revenue duties—estimated to yield £4,985 million in 1975–76—is £25.5 million. The estimated yield for the duty on tobacco in 1975–76 is £1,675 million.