§ 51. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Labour if he will give each of the items together with their present prices, which are taken into consideration in calculating the cost-of-living index figure.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDetails of the items included in the Interim Index of Retail Prices are given in the Stationery Office publication, "Interim Index of Retail Prices: Method of Construction and Calculation." The index covers nearly 250 items and each month's index figure is based on many thousands of price quotations. It would be impracticable to give details of all these prices.
§ 53. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Labour the estimated cost of the inquiry into the spending habits of the people of Great Britain; why it is necessary to offer £1 for the filling up of forms; and if the £1 is offered to each family or to each person.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe total cost of the inquiry, including the payments to those completing inquiry forms, is estimated at £125,000. Payment for the filling up of the inquiry forms is made as some recompense for the trouble and loss of time involved in keeping the detailed records which are being asked for. Experience has shown that such payments secure better results and reduce the number of visits required to achieve the necessary response.
91WThe £1 will be paid to each adult member of the household who supplies particulars, provided that all members of that household who are asked to supply information do so.