§ Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the relative internal purchasing power of the£sterling on 1st March in each of the years from 1951. taking the£sterling as having a purchasing value of 20s. on 1st March. 1951, and allowing for the depreciation in the purchasing value of the£sterling since that date.
§ Mr. BirchThe figures are as follows:
March, 1951 … … 20s. 0d. March, 1952 … … 18s. 5d. March, 1953 … … 17s. l0d. March, 1954 … … 17s. 8d. March, 1955 … … 17s. 2d. March, 1956 … … 16s. 3d. February, 1957 … … 15s. l0d. The calculations above are based on the consumer price index adjusted to give figures for the individual months by means of the Index of Retail Prices. A figure for March. 1957, is not yet available.
§ Mr. Holtasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes taking to maintain the purchasing power of the£in view of demands for wage increases from many sections of the community.
§ Mr. PowellI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 2nd April about price levels.