HC Deb 21 October 1920 vol 133 cc1083-4
74. Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statistics to show the rise or fall in the cost of living during the months of August and September?

Sir MONTAGUE BARLOW

According to the statistics prepared in the Ministry of Labour and published in the "Labour Gazette," the average increase since July, 1914, in the comparative cost of living of the working classes was 155 per cent. at 31st July, 161 per cent. at 1st September, and 164 per cent. at 1st October. The increase during the months of August and September was largely due to seasonal increases in the prices of milk, butter and eggs and to the increase in rents resulting from the operation of the recent Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction) Act.