HC Deb 25 March 1952 vol 498 cc28-9W
53. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purchasing value of the £ as compared with 1st November, 1951.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Figures for the dates mentioned are not available, but taking the figure for October, 1951, as 20s., the corresponding figure for February, 1952, was 19s. 5d.

Mr. Lucas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentages by which the value of the £ sterling had fallen, in terms of consumer goods and services, by January, 1944, 1947, 1949 and 1952, by comparison with its value in January, 1938.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Figures for the dates given are not available, but taking the average for 1938 as 100, the average for 1944 was 67, for 1947 59, for 1949 53, and for 1951 48. These figures are based on the price index for all consumer goods and services. From the average of 1951 to January, 1952, there was a further fall to 45; this figure is based on the Interim Index of Retail Prices.