HC Deb 16 July 1923 vol 166 cc1874-5
65. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that, as the result of an investigation recently held, it has been found that the cost of living is nearer 100 per cent. than 69 per cent., which is the index figure of the Labour Department for June, whether he can hasten the investigation into the facts so as to remove the suspicion that the official figures are not reliable?

Sir M. BARLOW

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to a recent article in a Manchester newspaper.

Mr. THORNE

Certainly.

Sir M. BARLOW

The prices quoted for food are, in the main, in close agreement with the prices as ascertained by the Ministry of Labour. No particulars are given in the article as to the method of computation by which the average increase in these prices generally is made to appear as 100 per cent., but I do not think they would yield an average increase of anything like 100 per cent., if due allowance were made for the relative importance of the different articles in the average working-class dietary. As regards clothing, the stated increase in prices are almost identical with those arrived at by the Ministry of Labour. I do not think the results of this inquiry provide any reason for altering the decision which I have already given.

Mr. J. JONES

Is not one of the items in the figures of the Ministry of Labour butter beans? Is not the price regulated by the fact that during the War the price went up 150 per cent., and are they not now down again to normal?

Major ATTLEE

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that rent is insufficiently weighted in arriving at the index figure? Are not rents, especially in the London area, grossly underweighted?

Sir M. BARLOW

Of course, the whole question of weighting is a very difficult question, and I am glad my hon. and gallant Friend realises that. It is because people do not proceed on the right methods of weighting that they arrive at results so different from our results?

Major ATTLEE

Then the result is about exactly the same as ours?

Mr. JONES

If the hon. Gentleman came and lived for a week in a workman's house, he would see the point!