§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour what were the increases in the Index of Retail Prices in the services group and nationalised industries, since October, 1951; and what was the increase for manufactured goods during the same period and for the remainder of the index list, respectively.
§ Mr. GodberThe increases in the Index of Retail Prices in the services group and in nationalised industries between October, 1951, and May, 1964, were about 60 per cent. and about 95 per cent., respectively. The increase in the index for the clothing and footwear, household durable goods and miscellaneous goods groups, taken together, was about 18 per cent., while the increase for all groups other than these three groups was about 59 per cent.
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour to what extent rent, rates, National Insurance contributions, food and transport formed the basis of the cost-of-living index figure in October' 1951; and to what extent these items have risen for each year up to April 1964.
§ Mr. GodberThe weight allocated to rent, rates, food and transport in the 17W Interim Index of Retail Prices between June, 1947, and January, 1952, was 458, out of 1,000. National Insurance contributions are not included among the items priced.
Percentage rises in the average level of rents, rates, food prices and transport charges between October, 1951, and each of the years 1952 to 1963 and April 1964 were as follows:—
Year Percentage rise since October 1951 1952 … … … 9 1953 … … … 15 1954 … … … 19 1955 … … … 27 1956 … … … 33 1957 … … … 38 1958 … … … 44 1959 … … … 46 1960 … … … 47 1961 … … … 51 1962 … … … 58 1963 … … … 63 April 1964 … … … 68
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the percentage rise or fall in the Index of Retail Prices since October, 1951, taking that month as representing 100; and to what extent these percentage increases or decreases have been affected by fluctuations in prices in industries in public ownership and private ownership, respectively.
§ Mr. GodberThe industries in public ownership, comprising the coal, coke, gas, electricity and railway industries, London Transport Board- postage, telephone, etc. and broadcasting services provide a weighting of about 8 per cent. of the index during the period covered by the following table:
Date Index of Retail Prices (all items) Percentage of change since October, 1951, due to fluctuations in Prices in Industries in public ownership Other industries October, 1951 100 — — January, 1956 119 16 84 January, 1962 140 15 85 January, 1963 144 15 85 January, 1964 147 15 85 May, 1964 150 14 86