HC Deb 07 July 1938 vol 338 cc555-6
14. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the constant rise in the prices of world commodities, he will consider undertaking a further revision in the cost-of-living index?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 12th May, to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Merthyr (Mr. S. O. Davies) and Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson).

Mr. Day

In view of the difficulty which working-class families have in maintaining their standard of living on account of the changes in costs which have taken place, does not the Minister think he should bring forward some proposals?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. We are this very week taking the last of the inquiries, which has been on a larger basis than in any other part of the world, for the precise purpose of determining accurately what the cost-of-living figure is.

Mr. Davidson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has taken away the weekly allowance and that there is no daily sum yet?

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