§ 47. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food how many food items have been increased in price since 31st October, 1951, and the total increase of all items, and the particular increase in each.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere are several thousand food items and the work required to provide details of any price increases for every item would not help to form a reliable judgment on the present trend.
The food section of the Interim Index of Retail Prices is the only proper measure of the general increase in food prices. From October, 1951 to August, 1952—the latest month for which figures are available—the index shows a total rise of about 12 per cent.
§ Mr. BeswickIf it requires too much work to list those prices which have increased, would it be less trouble to give a list of those which have not increased?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe only method we have, as the hon. Member knows full 694 well, is to do it in the way in which it has always been done.
§ Mr. LewisAre we to take it that this is the means by which the Government are implementing their Election promise to bring down the price of food?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe cost of living came down last month, for the first time in two years. I have one other piece of good news for hon. Members, that the rise in the food index this year was 12 per cent., but in the year before it was 13 per cent.
§ Mrs. MannAlthough the reply shows an astonishing increase in prices, would the Minister agree that that is not the whole story and that he takes no note whatever of the increases which are being imposed because of de-control? May I have an answer?