§ 5. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the number of people in this country whose wages depend either in part or in whole upon the level of the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living figure, and the frequent complaints that this figure no longer provides any fair indication of living costs, he will consider the desirability of appointing a departmental committee to examine this matter?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 30th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Bethnal Green, North-East (Major Nathan).
§ 3. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage increase in rents of controlled and of decontrolled working-class houses covered by the cost-of-living index, respectively, over the 1914 level, at 1st July, 1931, 1st October, 1932, and the latest date for which figures are available?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is estimated that the average percentage increases, over the 1914 level, in the rents (including rates) of pre-War working-class dwellings taken into account in compiling the index-number were as follow:
- At 1st July, 1931: controlled 49, decontrolled 85 to 90.
- At 1st October, 1932: controlled 48, de-controlled 85.
- At 1st June, 1933: controlled 49, decontrolled 85.