HC Deb 10 July 1958 vol 591 cc48-9W
Mr. L. Thomas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchasing power of the £ sterling, taking 1925 as 20s., in 1938, 1945, 1955 and today.

Mr. Maudling

Taking the internal purchasing value of the £ as 20s. in 1925 the comparable figures for subsequent dates are 1938, 22s. 7d.; 1945, 13s. 9d.; 1955, 8s. 10d., and May, 1958, 8s. For the period before 1938 these estimates are based on the Cost of Living Index; from 1938 onwards they are based on the Consumer Price Index brought up to date by the Index of Retail Prices.