§ 34. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour what weight of fish, what kind, and at what price was included in the last computation of the cost-of-living index.
37. Major Lloydasked the Minister of Labour what quality, quantity, kind and price of meat and meat products were included in the monthly cost-of-living indices for January and July in each of the last five years.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)I would refer the hon. Members of the explanatory booklet, "Interim Index of Retail Prices: Method of Construction and Calculation." This booklet gives a complete list of the kinds and qualities of food and food products included in the index, together with an explanation of the way in which the index is computed.
§ Mr. OsborneThe Minister refers me to a document, but does he remember that when this Question was put down to him about a fortnight ago, and I put a supplementary asking for that information, he said he did not know?
Major LloydIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that although the statement to which he has referred does show certain differences between some categories of food it makes no attempt whatever to analyse the meat position? My question is confined entirely to the matter of the quality, quantity, kind and price of meat and meat products, about which the statement has nothing to say whatever.
§ Mr. BevanIf he examines the booklet the hon. and gallant Gentleman will see that the information is exhaustive.