§ 25. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Labour the increases in the prices of foodstuffs that caused a rise of one point in the cost-of-living index announced on 19th May.
§ The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)The rise of one point in the Retail Prices Index between 17th March and 14th April was due to increases in local rates as well as to increases in the prices of certain foodstuffs. The principal changes in food prices were increases of about 9 per cent. for vegetables, 7 per cent. for fruit, 7 per cent. for fish, 16 per cent. for flour and between 4 and 5 per cent. for tea.
§ Mr. JegerIs the Minister aware that, in an answer to a Question which I put to his colleague the Minister of Food, I was told that there has been no increase in the cheaper blends of tea? Why, then, has an increase in the price of tea been taken into account in the Cost-of-Living Index?
§ Sir W. MoncktonSo far as the Cost-of-Living Index is concerned, I am concerned with getting the facts, and the facts are as I have given them. So far as the causes which give rise to these increases are concerned, I am happy to think that my interest is not matched by my responsibility.
§ Mr. F. HarrisWould the Minister of Labour agree that this is a satisfactory position, because, in 1952. the Retail Prices Index went up only 4½ per cent., whereas, under the previous Government in 1951. it went up by 13 per cent.?