§ 3. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the cost-of-living index is calculated by taking budgets of working-class families, there will be any difficulty and, if so, of what nature in taking a similar number of budgets of non-industrial working-class families such as clerks; and whether her Department will consider the desirability of compiling two cost-of-living indices which may have appropriate reference to the classes of the community whose wages are influenced by these indices?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI shall certainly give consideration to the points raised by the hon. Member, should the occasion arise.
§ 11. Mr. MUGGERIDGEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in calculating the index figure of the cost-of-living, the amount allowed for rent takes into account mortgage interest and repayments due from those who have had to 1427 purchase houses; and whether any consideration is given to the rent paid by those occupying decontrolled houses?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEDoes the Minister appreciate that a large number of people whose wages are governed by the index figure are living in decontrolled houses, or have had to buy houses because of the impossibility of getting houses to let, and that, therefore, they are not governed by the same factors which enter into the cost-of-living figure?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThat is so. Owned houses have never been taken into account.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEA large number of people are in that position.
§ 17. Mr. MORLEYasked the Minister of Labour if she will issue a White Paper giving full and precise details as to the manner in which the index figures of the cost-of-living are ascertained?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am arranging for the issue of a Stationery Office publication giving this information.
§ 20. Mr. P. OLIVERasked the Minister of Labour on what basis the rent item in the official cost-of-living index is determined; and whether any attempt is made to distinguish the differing burden of local rates falling upon tenants in different parts of the country?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe rent item in the cost-of-living index-number is an average based on the rents of controlled and de-controlled working class dwellings in a representative selection of large towns, and includes the amounts of local rates and water charges.