§ 19. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Labour the cost-of-living figure this month as compared with the same period a year ago and the figure of July, 1914?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe cost-of-living figure for 1st May is in course of compilation and will be published on 17th May. The figure for 1st April showed an increase of 57 per cent. over the level of July, 1914; the corresponding percentage for 1st April, 1929, was 62.
§ 11. Sir K. WOOD (for Mr. A. M. SAMUEL)asked the Minister of Labour the reason why the index figure of the cost of living is calculated for current Government purposes at 70 above 1913, in view of the fact that the "Times" index figure of wholesale commodity prices at 1st May, 1930, recorded only 19 points above 1913; and will she state the index figure for retail commodity prices as at 1st May, 1930 (1913=100)?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe cost-of-living index number for 1st April was 57 per cent. above the level of July, 1914, which is the date taken for the pre-War cost of living comparison, figures for 1913 not being available. The index number 1112 for 1st May is in course of preparation and will be published on 17th May. As regards the reason for the difference between the wholesale prices index numbers and the cost-of-living index number, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the President of the Board of Trade on 29th April.