§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour to state the percentage increase in the cost of living since the date on which Members of Parliament last received an increase in their salaries; and what has been the national average increase in salaries and wages since that date.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodBetween May, 1954, when daily attendance allowances became payable to Members of Parliament, and December, 1956, the index of retail prices rose by 12 per cent. and the index of rates of wages by about 16½ per cent. I
140Wdate, with comparable figures for the corresponding date last year.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodFollowing is the reply:
have insufficient information to enable me to estimate the average rise in salaries over this period.