1. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Labour whether he will now issue the results of the examples taken regarding the cost of living; and what discrepancies are there between the official figures and the tests of similar commodities?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 5th October to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. White).
19. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour what changes in the cost of living have been reported since the outbreak of hostilities; in particular, by what percentage the price of foodstuffs in ordinary use has advanced since the beginning of September; and whether the basis of the cost-of-living index is to be changed in accordance with the recent inquiry or whether, for purposes of comparison, the old basis is to be adhered to for the duration of hostilities?
§ Mr. BrownA detailed account of the changes, between 1st and 30th September, in the prices of the items included within the scope of the official cost-of-living index figures is published on page 375 of the October issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette, a copy of which is in the Library. I propose to consider the question of the revision of the basis of the cost of living figures when the results of the recent inquiry into working-class household expenditure become available.
§ Mr. James GriffithsIn view of the fact that the cost of living is now rising, and that in a large number of cases wage reductions have taken place, will the right hon. Gentleman facilitate the arrival at conclusions by this committee?
§ Mr. BrownAs I have said, it is being done as rapidly as possible, but hon. Members will understand that when one has to analyse the results of hundreds of thousands of household cases, there is a certain bottle-neck which one cannot overcome.