§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigation National Statistics is making into evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions; and if he will make a statement. [69245]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 July 2002:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on what investigation National Statistics is making of evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions. I am replying in his absence. (69245)There is currently no official research being conducted into the differences in inflation rates between regions. The data required to make such calculations to an appropriate degree of accuracy are not currently available to National Statistics from either the national Retail Price Index (RPI) or other official sources.