§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) how often she reviews the constructton of the General Index of Retail Prices;
(2) if she will make a statement on the basis upon which the Index of Retail Prices is constituted.
§ Mr. BoothI have been asked to reply.
The construction of the retail prices index follows the recommendations of the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the TUC, the CBI and trade and consumer organisations, together with leading Government Departments. This committee is convened at intervals whenever a review of the index is necessary. Changes recommended in the committee's latest report—[Vol. 886, c. 460–2.]—were incorporated in the construction of the index from February onwards.