HC Deb 19 October 1920 vol 133 cc755-6
20. Mr. CLOUGH

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the latest Return of the Board of Trade index of the cost of living?

The returns of exports of manufactured products show values for September which were smaller than for the average of the earlier months of the year in the following groups of articles:—

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have been asked to reply. The latest statistics prepared in the Ministry of Labour show that the average increase since July, 1914, in the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of the working classes was 164 per cent. at 1st October.

Mr. THOMAS

Does that include the increase in consequence of the house rent, and also the increase in railway fares?

Dr. MACNAMARA

It certainly includes the increase in the price of food and the increased rent, but as to railway fares I am not certain.

Forward to