HC Deb 01 June 1954 vol 528 cc1055-6
3. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage rise in the cost of food and coal, respectively, since July, 1945, in the cost-of-living index.

Mr. Watkinson

The average increase in the retail prices of coal between July, 1945, and April, 1954, was about 68 per cent. There is no single index which measures the average percentage change in the level of food prices since July, 1945. Up to June, 1947, the "cost of living" index based on 1914 consumption standards was in use. In June, 1947, this was replaced by the more up-to-date Interim Index of Retail Prices, the basis of which was itself revised in January, 1952. The index figures in these three series are, therefore, not directly comparable.

Mr. Osborne

Is it not possible to make any calculations backwards, so that we can see the comparison between the two?

Mr. Watkinson

We are always anxious to try to maintain the accuracy of the index, particularly in this difficult matter of retail prices, but there is no fair basis of comparison between the three amended kinds of indices which have been used since 1947.