§ Captain Pluggeasked the Minister of Labour how the cost of living at the present time compares with the average rate during the period 1914 to 1918 in relation both to all items and food only?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe following table shows the average percentage increase, as compared with July, 1914, in the retail prices (a)of food and (b)of all items taken into account in the calculation of the official cost-of-living index figures, in each of the years 1915 to 1918 and at 30th September, 1939 (the latest date for which figures are at present available):
Average Percentage Increase as compared with July, 1914. Food. All Items. 1915 (average for year) 31 23 1916 (average for year) 60 46 1917 (average for year) 98½ 76 1918 (average for year) 115 103 Average for 1915–1918 76 62 30th September, 1939 50 65 Corresponding figures for 1st November, 1939, are not yet available, but will be published in the course of a few days.