HC Deb 28 February 1990 vol 168 cc198-9W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year since 1978 the weight of private sector and public sector rents in the cost of living index; whether those weights include rates when paid by the landlord; and what will be the effect of the index if the landlord does not reduce the rent to take account of the abolition of rates.

Mr. Lilley

The weight for local authority and private rents in the retail prices index, in parts per thousand, has been as follows:

Weight
1978 32
1979 32
1980 28

Weight
1981 30
1982 36
1983 36
1984 35
1985 31
1986 29
1987 34
1988 33
1989 32

The weight is adjusted to exclude domestic rates paid through landlords. The index will continue to reflect actual rents charged.