HC Deb 24 July 1951 vol 491 cc183-5
4. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects the Advisory Committee on the Cost of Living Index to make a report.

Mr. Lee

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Digby) on 17th July.

Mr. Russell

Will the hon. Gentleman say when this Committee is going to meet next, and can he give me an answer to my original Question?

Mr. Lee

I think that I have indicated that they have made a report, and that report is being considered.

15. Mr. J. N. Browne

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Interim Report of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee includes a separate examination of the expenditure necessary and normally incurred by those whose income approximately corresponds to that of those drawing National Assistance.

8. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour when the Cost of Living Advisory Committee last met; and what recommendations it has recently made to him respecting the compilation of a reliable index.

Mr. Lee

The Cost of Living Advisory Committee last met on 24th May. A technical committee, which is advising the main Committee on various technical questions, has met six times since then, the last meeting being held on 20th July. I would ask hon. Members to await the publication of the Interim Report by the Cost of Living Advisory Committee.

Mr. Browne

Is the Minister aware that food, clothing, fuel and light alone represent almost 80 per cent. of the cost of living of the old age pensioners' budget, whereas it represents only approximately 56 per cent. of the Cost of Living Index? Will the Minister bear in mind that any future cost of living index should not include, as it does at present, such items as perambulators, children's clothing, gramophone records, motor cycle licences, vacuum cleaners and petrol, because they do not truly reflect the cost of living of old age pensioners and other people in similar circumstances?

Mr. Lee

Yes, but because perambulators may long since have been finished with in the case of the hon. Member, it does not follow that that is the case with everybody. I trust that the hon. Member and everybody else will wait for the Interim Report.

Mr. Kenneth Thompson

When is the Interim Report likely to be made available?