HC Deb 23 February 1995 vol 255 c275W
Sir Timothy Sainsbury

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of whether the retail prices index takes sufficient account of consumers' expenditure patterns varying in response to the availability of sales and special offers.

Mr. Nelson

In accordance with the recommendations of the retail prices index advisory committees, the RPI is based on a fixed "basket" of items revised annually in line with changes in consumer spending. The monthly RPI price indicators are based on prices charged; sale and special offers available to all purchasers are included.