§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the selling price of bread has been increased 1d. per loaf; that the selling price of bread varies in the different districts; upon what basis of calculation the selling price of foodstuffs is made as appears in the monthly "Labour Gazette"; and how many points the cost of living goes up or down when the selling price of bread is increased 1d. per loaf or decreased 1d. per loaf?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware that the retail price of bread has recently been increased in London and some other districts, and that the price Varies in different places. The prices of foodstuffs stated in the "Labour Gazette" are average prices based on returns collected at the beginning of each month in all the large towns and a representative selection of small places. For further particulars of the method of calculation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the account given in the "Labour Gazette" for February, 1921, of the scope and method of compilation of the official statistics of retail prices, a copy of which I am sending him. An average movement of 1d. per 4 lbs. of bread, unaccompanied by any changes in the prices of other commodities, would change the cost of living index number by approximately 1½ points; 577W a corresponding movement of 1d. per quartern in the price of flour would change the index number by approximately two-thirds of a point.