63. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the recent sanction of increased laundry prices of 1½d. in the shilling, due regard will be paid to this in arriving at the new cost-of-living index figure which is now under consideration.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is proposed to include laundry charges as one of the items to be covered by the new index, which will be introduced at an early date.
Mr. De la BèreWhile I thank the Minister for that reply—and I do not often do that—may I ask him if he does not agree that it is a fact that there is a great shortage of soap for home washing and that the high cost of washing outside makes it very difficult for the housewife? Can he give the matter further consideration?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe supply of soap does not come under my Department. I will bring the matter to the attention of my colleagues. The point is that this rapid increase in the cost of laundry should, of necessity, be taken into consideration.