§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the assumption that the pound sterling had 20s. purchasing power in June, 1914, if he will give an estimate of the purchasing power of the pound sterling in June, 1939, June, 1945 and June, 1948, exclusive of the benefits of food subsidies; and a further estimate 202W of the purchasing power if all subsidies had been withdrawn as at June, 1948.
§ Sir S. CrippsReckoned over the whole field of personal expenditure the purchasing power of the pound was approximately as follows in the years in question:
Average for year 1914 100 Average for year 1939 63 Average for year 1945 42 June, 1948 36 As has been explained on previous occasions, figures which ignored the cost of living subsidies would have no real meaning.