HC Deb 01 March 1951 vol 484 c2267
8. Major Guy Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds a rebate paid to butchers produces a change in the wholesale price index for meat published by his Department.

Mr. H. Wilson

Surcharges and rebates represent changes in the effective wholesale prices paid by butchers and are, therefore, taken into account in compiling the wholesale price index.

Major Lloyd

Does this mean that this is an ingenious idea to avoid raising the cost-of-living index figure?

Mr. Wilson

I am surprised that the hon. and gallant Member does not know the difference between the wholesale price index and the cost-of-living index.

Major Lloyd

It was just because I do know that that I asked the Question. The housewife perhaps might not know that, and I was trying to enlighten the housewife as to the difference.