§ 29. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the removal of control from the price of flour in Trinidad caused the 12 cent loaf to go up in price to 15 cents and the 24 cent loaf to go up to 30 cents; and what compensating increase in salaries and wages have been made to the lower income groups to maintain the standard of living.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThere has been no increase in the price of the 12 cent and 24 cent loaves since the Trinidad Government ceased subsidising flour on 1st January, 1955, but the weight of the loaves has been decreased from 13½oz. to 13 oz. and from 27 oz. to 26 oz. respectively. 417 As a result of a rise of three points in the cost of living index, the cost of living allowance for organised labour was increased by 4 cents a day from 1st February and by another 4 cents a day from 1st March. Unorganised labour in agricultural employment has had wage increases of from 10 cents to 20cents a day since the decontrol of flour.
§ Mr. JonesIs it not misleading to suggest that there has not been any increase in price, when the actual weight of the loaf has been decreased although it costs the same amount of money?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI thought I made that clear. I said that there has been no actual increase in price but there has been a decrease in the weight.