§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Employment how the change to the new housing benefit from 1 April will affect the calculation of the housing component of the retail price index.
§ Mr. GummerThe method of calculation of the retail prices index follows the recommendations of the retail prices index advisory committee. Apart from some changes in the methods of data collection, the calculation will not be affected by the change to the new housing benefit as it comes into effect.