§ Mrs. Jane KennedyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the retail prices index is comprised of water rates; and how the weighting of water rates within the retail prices index has changed over the last five years. [22544]
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 4 May 1995]: The information requested is available in table A3 of the publication "Retail Prices Index February 1995"; CSO "Business Monitor" MM23, a copy of which is available in the Library.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining the differences in the procedures of the EU nations in formulating their cost of living indexes; and what endeavours there are to harmonise the methods of calculation. [22550]
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 4 May 1995]: Measures of consumer prices indices vary widely across the EU in terms of concepts, methods and practices. The most notable differences are in the treatment of owner-occupied housing, and health and educational services. The Statistical Office of the European Communities—EUROSTAT—has prepared a draft Council regulation, which, with the co-operation of national statistical offices, establishes a harmonisation programme with the aim of achieving comparability across member states.