§ 34. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the price of bread is to be increased by ½d. per 4-lb. loaf on 8th May, 1933; whether such increases are taken into account when calculating the cost-of-living figures published in the Labour Gazette; and by how 1219 many points, if any, the cost-of-living figures will rise by the increase in the price of bread?
Mr. HUDSONI have seen reports in the Press to the effect that the price of bread in London is to be raised by ½d. per 4-lb. as from 8th May. The official cost-of-living index number is computed only at monthly intervals, and the figure to be published in the May issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" will relate to 1st May; if, however, the increased price continues in operation until 1st June, it will be taken into account when the index figure for that date is calculated. If there were, over the country as a whole, an increase of one ½d. per 4-lb. loaf, this would cause a rise in the index number of approximately three-quarters of a point.