§ Mr. A. BENNETTasked the Minister of Labour what retail prices for the purpose of the compilation of his cost-of-living index are taken in respect to Argentine chilled beef and frozen beef to-day; and what were the retail prices taken in respect of these two commodities in 1919 and 1920?
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§ Sir M. BARLOWIt is not possible to give separate figures for Argentine beef, as distinct from imported beef generally, but the average retail prices on 1st June, 1923—the latest date available—of the descriptions of chilled or frozen beef (of whatever origin) included in the calculation of the cost-of-living index number were 10¼d. per lb. for fore ribs and 5¾d. for thin flank. The corresponding figures for the beginning of June, 1919, were 1s. 4d and 10¾d., and for June, 1920, 1s. 3¾d. and 9¾d. respectively. These figures were published in the Ministry of Labour "Gazette" each month in the usual way. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the "Gazette" containing the figures for June last.