§ 60. Sir I. Fraserasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has 1706 made of the effect on the cost of living of an increase of 16f per cent. in railway and canal freight charges.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo useful estimate could be made of the effect of general increases in freight charges on the cost of items in the cost-of-living index until the effect on the retail price of the various individual items can be seen. The general implications of such increases have been taken into consideration by the Government, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport said in the House on 28th November.
§ Sir I. FraserHad the Chancellor in mind an increase of this magnitude when he made his broadcast?
§ Sir S. CrippsThis was obviously one of the matters that might influence the trend of prices. I had not this particular one in mind.