§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an index for the cost of living for consumers based on the retail price index but excluding indirect taxes, including value added tax, excise duties and rates, for the calendar year 1979 to the calendar years 1986, 1987 and 1988 taking the value of the index as 1979 equals 100.
§ Mr. LilleyThe following is an estimate of movement in the RPI excluding VAT, excise duties and rates measured at December each year. Calendar year information is not readily available.
December 1979=100 Year RPI 1979 100 1980 115 1981 127 1982 133 1983 140 1984 146 1985 154 1986 159 1987 167 1988 179