§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the index of retail food prices adequately reflects the purchasing habits of (a) the population in general and (b) pensioners.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI am quite satisfied that the general index of retail prices, and the food component thereof, accurately reflects the prices paid by the great majority of United Kingdom households. Prices actually charged in shops throughout the country are obtained each month and the relative importance, or weight, assigned to each in calculating the index is based on expenditure patterns reported by households in the continuous family expenditure survey. Separate prices indices are compiled for one and for two person pensioner households of limited means, where income is mainly derived from state benefits.