HC Deb 10 January 1918 vol 101 c322W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware of any reason for believing that the Board of Trade figures, showing a rise of 105 per cent. in the cost of living resulting from the War, are misleading; whether it is a fact that such cost has only increased by 50 per cent., and that there has been a decrease of actual cost of 10 per cent. in the last six months; and, if so, whether he will offer any explanations to the House?

Mr. CLYNES

I have been asked to reply. A comparison between the prices of food at different dates, without reference to changes in diet and fluctuations in the price of articles the price of which has not been fixed, is artificial and of little or no value for estimating the increased cost of living. In the "Labour Gazette" in which the figure of 105 per cent. occurs, it it pointed out that: "if eggs were omitted from the dietary, margarine substitued for batter, and the consumption of sugar and fish reduced to one-half of that prevailing before the War, the general percentage increase since July, 1914, instead of being 105, would be 59." Enough attention does not appear to have been given to this important qualification. Since July there has certainly been a decrease in the cost of food of the average family. But the whole question is one of such considerable complication that I am glad to think that it will be considered by a Special Committee, as suggested by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their Second Report.

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