§ Q3. Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Prime Minister if she will list the decisions of the Government that have had the effect of increasing the retail price index; and, in each case, by how much.
§ The Prime MinisterThe effect of all the Budget changes announced by the Chancellor was to add some 4 per cent. to the RPI. They were accompanied by the reductions in income tax. The effects on the RPI of other price increases have generally been given at the time of the individual announcements. For example, the 1½p increase in the price of a pint of milk added one-quarter of 1 per cent. to the RPI. School meals charges rose by 5p—that is by one-eighth of 1 per cent. But that decision was taken by the last Labour Government.