§ 51. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that since 1939 wages have increased 45 per cent, and the index for all commodities has risen 61.8 per cent., he can state approximately, in any convenient form, the extent to which the rise in wages has benefited the recipients in terms of real value.
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not sure to what commodity index my hon. Friend is referring, but if, as I assume, his figure is derived from the Board of Trade index of wholesale prices, I do not think it would be right to frame any estimate of the real value of wage-rates on the basis of an index of wholesale prices.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill my right hon. Friend take an early opportunity to warn the public that, unless there is adequate production and the rendering of services at the right price behind the currency, the purchasing power of the currency may continue to fall?
§ Sir J. AndersonI do not think that that is a subject with which I could deal sufficiently at Question Time.