European Community (Consumer Prices)

Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the changes in (a) food prices and (b) all consumer prices in each Common Market country since May 1979, taking the May 1979 index as 100.

Mr. Biffen
Following is the information:the average per tax unit in each of these bands; and if he will provide the same information for the rise in average mortgage interest repayments at each earnings band arising from the increase in interest rates in, separately, June 1979 and November 1979.

Mr. Peter Rees
[pursuant to his reply, 14 April 1980, c. 519]: Information is available only by reference to ranges of total income subject to tax, which includes unearned income but excludes non-taxable social security benefits. The estimated cost relates to the changes in personal allowances, higher rate thresh-holds and investment income surcharge  threshold and the withdrawal of the lower rate band. The information is for a full year at 1980–81 income levels, but because it is not accurate enough to subdivide the range over £20,000 no ---------------------------
|               | | | | | |
---------------------------
|Up to £2,000   |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£2,000–£4,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£4,000–£5,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£5,000–£6,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£6,000–£8,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£8,000–£10,000 |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£10,000–£15,000|…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|£15,000–£20,000|…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
|Over £20,000   |…|…|…|…|…|
---------------------------
The following is the available information regarding mortgage interest. The estimated amount of interest relates to all allowable mortgage interest but incorporates a rate of 15 per cent. for a full year in respect of building society
 ----------------------------
|Up to 2,000     |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|2,000 to 4,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|4,000 to 5,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|5,000 to 6,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|6,000 to 8,000  |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|8,000 to 10,000 |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|10,000 to 15,000|…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|15,000 to 20,000|…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------
|Over 20,000     |…|…|…|…|…|
----------------------------