HC Deb 26 February 1959 vol 600 cc184-5W
58. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer taking the £ sterling as having a purchasing value of 20s. in October, 1951, what was its latest purchasing value, taking the cost of living as equalling 100 in October, 1951; what was the percentage rise or fall since then to the latest stated date; and what has been the percentage rise or fall in unemployment since October, 1951.

Mr. Erroll

The answers to the first two questions are 15s. 2d., and a fall of 24 per cent. The number of unemployed rose from 1.3 per cent, in October, 1951, to 2.8 per cent. in January, 1959. There is always a seasonal increase between October and January. Comparing January, 1952, with January, 1959, the increase was from 1.8 per cent. to 2.8 per cent.