 |
 |
> -----Original Message----- > From: R. Allan Reese [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Hey, Ray, don't go peddling that line that the UK always > *follows* what > the US has done and discarded. I think that in the case of consumer price indexes the UK and Europe will follow the US lead. The US lead was given by the Boskin Report on the US Consumer Price Index. This Report was roundly attacked at the time because there was fear that its finding that the CPI overstated inflation because it failed to take into account quality improvements would be applied retrospectively. But now that fear has diminished statisticians will be keen to incorporate Bostin's logic. Statistical theory has never had much to contribute to the development of price indexes, but Boskin has provided a theory or an ideology from economics that statisticians will find difficult to resist. The subject certainly need opening up and discussion. Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University Tel: 01908 679081 Fax 01908 550401 Email: [log in to unmask] 35 Passmore, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%