§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current weight in the retail prices index for(a) mortgage interest payments, (b) rents, (c) rates and (d) other housing costs; and what information he has to the equivalent weights in the consumer price indices for other European Community countries.
§ Mr. LeeThe weights (per thousand) for the components of housing used in the retail prices index are: mortgage interest payments 42, rent 33, rates 43 and other housing costs 42 (water and sewerage charges, repairs and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials, dwelling insurance and ground rent).
Housing costs are not similarly defined in other countries, and detailed comparisons are not possible. The weights assigned to the shelter element of housing costs in the consumer price indices of EC countries involve different coverage and concepts, and comparisons should be treated with caution. The figures are as follows:
Weights for Shelter costs in consumer price indices Countries including owner occupiers cost and rents
Weights per 1,000 Weights United Kingdom 75 Germany 148 Holland 164 Ireland 37 Denmark 166 Spain 127
Countries including rents only Weights France 69 Italy 40 Belgium 64 Greece 54