§ Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the relative stability of the cost of living during the last three years, he proposes at an early date to institute an inquiry with a view to establishing a new basis for the index number; and whether such an investigation will include an inquiry into the cost of living of higher paid employés as well as into that of manual workers?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe question of an inquiry with a view to the establishment of a new basis for the cost-of-living index-number was exhaustively considered last year, in consultation with the National Confederation of Employers'440W Organisations and the Trades Union Congress General Council, and I do not think the time has come to alter the decision which was then reached, to postpone the revision of the basis.