§ 10. Mr. T. Smithasked the Minister of Labour whether the inquiry into the question of the revision of the cost-of-living index figure is yet completed; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe methods to be adopted in obtaining the data required for a revision of the basis of the cost-of-living index figures have for some time been under consideration by my Department, in consultation with an Advisory Committee appointed for this purpose. The committee have recommended that budgets should be collected giving details of the expenditure of a representative sample of some thousands of working-class families in each of four weeks at quarterly intervals, beginning in the autumn of this year, arid the necessary preparations for the collection of these budgets are now being made.
§ Mr. SmithIn view of the importance of this matter and the dissatisfaction with the present cost-of-living figure, will the right hon. Gentleman expedite it?
§ Mr. BrownI do not want to have it expedited. I want to have it done thoroughly, so that we can depend upon it.