§ Mr. Wallasked the Lord President of the Council when the daily attendance allowance for delegates to the Council of Europe, the Western European Union and the North Atlantic Assembly was last increased; and how much the cost of living in France, Belgium, West Germany and the United States of America, respectively, has increased since that date.
§ Mr. FootThe allowance has stood at 280 FF—£33 plus 70 FF—£8—for miscellaneous expenses, since May 1975, but those rates were fixed at a level intended to endure for a considerable time. Consumer prices* in the countries mentioned have increased by 28.5 per cent., 21.2 per cent., 11.4 per cent. and 21.2 per cent. respectively since 1975.
*Statistical Office of the European Communities, general index for 1st April 1978–1st March for USA.