§ 72. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Labour whether as a general rule the returns of prices received from different centres of population in the country for the purposes of the cost-of-living index show any very marked variation; and, if so, of what nature?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)The returns of retail prices of food received from different centres show very little variation in the prices of some articles, such as sugar and margarine, but considerable variation in the prices of others, such as bacon and butter. In some cases variation in price is due to differences in the kind of article in customary demand locally, while in other cases it is due to variation in local circumstances and supplies. These considerations, of course, applied before the War as well as at the present time.