§ 25. Mr. Doddsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the concern arising from the announcement that the cost-of-living index has again started to rise; and, in view of the fact that there is a likelihood of an imminent general increase of prices, if he will make a statement giving details of the action he is taking to mitigate the hardship this will cause to large sections of the population.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe hon. Member exaggerates the implications of the rise in the cost of living for October and the possible extent of any further rise in the near future. But in present circumstances it is, of course, especially important that all concerned should exercise restraint in regard to those elements of costs and prices which are in our own hands.
§ Mr. DoddsIs it not obvious that the Government's insane policy has blown sky-high the prices plateau? Is it not also a fact that, as a result of that policy, millions of people are going to suffer great hardship? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman, therefore, answer the last part of my Question, namely, what action is being taken to mitigate this hardship?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have already indicated in my Answer that I do not accept the implications of the hon. Gentleman's initial Question. Without wishing to be disrespectful to him, I would say that I think that his conclusions are as muddled as his metaphors are mixed.
Mr. WilsonWhile clever sallies of that kind will be of very little help to the old-age pensioners and others who are suffering from the rise in the cost of living, may I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether he is aware that since his extremely complacent speech last Friday on the cost-of-living situation, there has already been a serious increase in the price of flour arising from the Suez situation? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman, instead of vaguely appealing for restraint in these matters, give a lead to the country, and will the Government impose statutory restraint on the prices charged by the millers?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThat is, of course, quite a different question from that on the Paper, but what I will say is that I did not show any complacency in my speech on Friday. What I did was to draw attention to the fact that the index is the same now as it was in April, which is a matter of statistics and not of complacency.