§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage effect on the January retail sales figures of the number of Saturdays in January 1992 compared with January 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NelsonThe retail sales index is an indicator of the average sales per week within standard four or five-week trading periods as opposed to calendar months. The trading periods for January 1992 and January 1993 both contained four Saturdays. The level of sales in January 1993 was not influenced by an increased number of Saturdays.