§ 5. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Labour to state the Interim Index of Retail Prices for March, 1955; and how this compares with March, 1952, and March, 1954.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe Index figure at 15th March, 1955, was 146, compared with 133 in March, 1952, and 141 in March, 1954.
§ Mr. DoddsIs this not the highest point which the cost-of-living index has ever reached? What justification is there for that, nearly four years after a pledge was made to reduce the cost of living? Further, is not the Minister aware of the seriousness of the situation when the Budget completely fails to reduce the cost of living for many millions of people in the lower income groups?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI expect that we shall have the opportunity of hearing those observations again, but they can hardly be directed to the Minister of Labour in relation to the Budget, which is a matter for which I am not responsible. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will share with me a degree of modified satisfaction that the figure of 146, though it is the highest, is the same as that for January and February last.