§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will show the increase in the retail prices index between 1979 and 1985 in annual averages, with rates and indirect taxes excluded.
§ Mr. LeeThe estimation of movements in the retail prices index excluding indirect taxes raises a number of conceptual and practical difficulties and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Domestic rates and water charges are readily excluded from the index and the results are as follows:
RPI excluding domestic1 rates and water charges 12-month increases percentages January Per cent. 1980 18.5 1981 12.7 1982 11.5 1983 4.7 1984 5.0 1985 4.9 1986 5.3 1987 3.5 1988 3.1 1 The effects of non-domestic rates on retail prices have not been excluded.