§ 72. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can furnish a statement of the present predominant prices for food, coal, and rent in Birmingham, Leeds, Swansea, and Glasgow comparable with the prices for the same which were published in 1908 in the Board of Trade Report on working-class rents and retail prices?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply to this question. The most recent town inquiry on lines of the Report published in 1908 relates to the year 1912, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Report thereon. During the War no town inquiry has been made which would yield the desired comparisons.
§ Mr. TERRELLIn view of the irresponsible statements made, can the hon. Gentleman have some definite inquiry made as to the food values in some of these centres?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Food values appear in the "Labour Gazette," and the lion. Member will be able to get. the figures. If he will state exactly the comparison he wishes to have made, I will see if it is possible to give it.