§ 12. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Labour to state the terms of reference of the reconstituted Cost of Living Advisory Committee; and, in particular, whether these terms include the formulation of proposals for a permanent index of retail prices or more than one such index.
Mr. LeeIn calling together the Cost of Living Advisory Committee it was not considered necessary to vary the original terms of reference. These are:
To advise the Minister of Labour and National Service on the basis of the official cost of living index figure and on matters connected therewith.These terms are clearly wide enough to embrace proposals for a permanent index of retail prices or for more than one index.
§ Mr. DigbyWill the hon. Gentleman make it clear that the Committee can recommend a broadening of the basis of the index to include such groups as old people and middle-class people?