§ 74. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Food Controller if he will state the cost of living now, taking the same articles as heretofore in previous estimates, as compared with the cost six months ago, a year ago, and five years ago?
Mr. ROBERTSOn the basis of a Budget representing, approximately, the average consumption of a working-class family before the War, the statistics published by the Ministry of Labour show an increase of 109 per cent. in the price of food between July, 1914, and 1st July, 1919. This percentage increase is slightly lower than the corresponding increase in July, 1918, and 9 per cent. less than the increase six months ago.