HC Deb 28 October 1937 vol 328 cc227-9
13. Mr. Lunn

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give some information to the House of the form of inquiry now being undertaken into the cost-of-living figures; and whether or not households in which there has been long-continued unemployment, and of those with low incomes, are included in the inquiry?

Mr. E. Brown

A detailed explanation of the objects and scope of the inquiry which is now being undertaken into working-class family expenditure, and of the methods by which the inquiry is being made, is given on page 378 of the October issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." I will arrange that copies of the inquiry forms shall be placed in the Library. The lists of persons who were to be asked to supply information were compiled by taking a representative selection from all classes of adult workers, irrespective of their income, insured against unemployment, and from the principal groups of uninsured wage and small-salary earners. In order, however, to exclude cases of long-continued unemployment, applicants for unemployment assistance (including persons receiving such allowances in supplementation of benefit and persons in respect of whom "nil" determinations have been made) were, so far as possible, eliminated from the lists before the households were visited.

Mr. Lunn

Is the inquiry being spread over the United Kingdom as a whole, and will the right hon. Gentleman see that these forms are placed, not only in the Library, but in the Vote Office as well?

Mr. Brown

I will consider that. It is a comprehensive review of Great Britain.

Mr. Thorne

Will this questionnaire be sent to a large number of wives of unemployed men?

Mr. Brown

No, because—

Mr. Thorne

Why not?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member will allow me to answer, the reason is that there was a difference of opinion in the Advisory Committee, and the trade union representatives took the view that it ought not to be so sent. The hon. Member will understand, as a representative trade unionist, that this is a matter that affects wage earners primarily, although, of course, it has other purposes as well.

Mr. Graham White

Has the response of voluntary workers necessary to carry out the inquiry been satisfactory?

Mr. Brown

Most satisfactory.

Mr. George Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some forms have been sent to part-time workers whose husbands at present have nothing for tobacco and beer?

Mr. Brown

That shows exactly how adequate and how representative has been the selection.

Mr. Lunn

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that these forms are not to be sent to unemployed households?

Mr. Brown

The Advisory Committee were unable to agree upon the matter.

Mr. Lunn

But is it not a fact that, with their limited incomes, they will know the facts as to the cost of living?

Mr. Brown

I cannot debate this now. As the hon. Member knows, there are a great many considerations one way and the other, and we decided to take this view.

70. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any upward variation is intended of State benefits and pensions to correspond with any variation in the cost of living?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)

No such general adjustment of benefits and pensions as my hon. Friend suggests is in contemplation; but he is no doubt aware of the answer given on 21st October by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on the subject of unemployment allowances.

Mr. Adams

Can the Financial Secretary say when the new basis for computing the cost of living is likely to be ready?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

No, Sir.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that he will get no peace until there is an increase in the old age pensions?