§ 11. Mr. John Morganasked the Minister of Labour how many points in total are added to the cost-of-living index by the taxes, duties, or levies on meat, butter, sugar, flour, bacon, eggs, and any other foodstuffs for human consumption?
§ Mr. E. BrownIt is not in general possible to distinguish the effect of such factors on the cost-of-living index number. As I have already informed the House, the recent increase in the duty on sugar raised the cost-of-living index number by about 1⅔ points.
§ Mr. MorganWill the right hon. Gentleman admit that such charges on foods are having a marked effect on the cost-of-living index?
§ Mr. BrownI would not like to give a sure answer to that Question, because, as the hon. Member will understand, retail prices are affected to a great extent by such considerations as the relative strength of demand and supply in the case of a particular commodity.
§ Mr. ThorneIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave dissatisfaction about the cost-of-living index figure, and when is he going to reconsider the matter?