§ 34. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Labour to what extent the reductions in the price of second-hand cars were taken into account in calculating the November Index of Retail Prices.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe fall in the average prices of second-hand cars between mid-October and mid-November represented the equivalent of 0.04 points in the all-items index.
§ Mr. JegerIn that case would the Minister be kind enough to explain to the House why he claims credit in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for December for a fall in the price of second-hand cars and claims that that has helped to keep the cost of living steady?
§ Mr. MacleodI did not claim anything of the sort. I put that into the December issue of the Gazette because I thought that otherwise I should be asked a silly Question about it in the House of Commons.
§ 35. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Labour to make a statement on the retail price index figure for January, 1957, as compared with that for January, 1956.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe retail prices index figure for 11th December, 1956, has only recently been announced and was 103, compared with 100 at 17th January, 1956. The figure for January, 1957, will not be known until about the third week in February.
§ Mr. JegerIn view of the fact that there has been a large increase in the general price level during the last few weeks, has the Minister taken any special steps to inquire how far that affects the cost of living today?
§ Mr. MacleodThe calendar year 1956 is the best year, with the exception of 1953, so far as prices are concerned, and the index figure which I have given takes into account the increase in the price of petrol but not in subsequent fares increases which may conceivably flow from it.
§ Mr. DyeI thought that the Government were going to bring the cost of living down. They said they would.