COST OF LIVING.

HC Deb 17 June 1937 vol 325 cc531-2

1. Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any indication as to the movement in the cost of living figures for the month of November, 1936, and the month of May, 1937?

Mr. E. Brown

According to the statistics compiled by my Department relating to the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of working-class families, the average level of the cost of living of such families was approximately 51 per cent. above the pre-War level at 31st October and at 1st December, 1936, and 52 per cent. above the pre-War level at 1st May and at 1st June, 1937.

Mr. Davies

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House the figures relating to the cost of food?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member will put the question down, I will certainly give them to him.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking into account the increased cost of living?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member knows that some time ago I appointed a very strong committee to prepare the way for an investigation into the problem.