§ 58. Mr. HERBERT SAMUELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that it is now seven months since the Select Committee on National Expenditure recommended the appointment of an expert Committee to investigate the extent of the increase in the cost of living, and four months since a Committee for that purpose was appointed; and if he will say when the Committee will present its Report?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy right hon. Friend will realise that this inquiry, if it is to be of real value, involves the collection and consideration of a very great number of household budgets, which must necessarily take a considerable time. 1809 The inquiry is being conducted as expeditiously as possible, but, as I stated, on the 16th instant, in answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark, the Committee do not think that they will be able to report before the autumn.