§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Minister of Labour whether, in estimating the index figure of the cost of living, due allowance is made for the item of rent, which has only increased by 40 per cent., and of travelling, which has only increased by some 75 per cent.; and, if so, in view of the considerable proportion borne by these items to the total, he can say what are the items which have increased so largely as to bring up the average to over 160 per cent.?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn preparing the index number relating to cost of living due allowance is made for the increases in rent and in fares, which are approximately as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the Labour Gazette for October, in which details are given of the increases in the prices of various items included in the index numbers. It will be seen from these details that the items showing the largest percentage of increases are food and clothing. I am also sending him an extract from the Labour Gazette of March last, showing the methods by which the percentage increases for the various items are combined in the final index numbers.