HC Deb 24 February 1931 vol 248 cc1960-2W
Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee is still in existence; if so, who is its chairman: who is its secretary; who are the members of it; where is it located; and how often does it sit?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

The Advisory Committee appointed under the Trade Facilities Acts, 1921–26 concluded its statutory functions of advising upon the grant of guarantees on the expiration of those Acts in 1927.

  • The Committee then consisted of:
  • The Rt. Hon. Lord Plender, G.B.E.,
  • Mr. H. J. Morland,
  • Mr. W. K. Whigham, with
  • Mr. E. St. J. Bamford of the Treasury as Secretary.

After their statutory duties were concluded these gentlemen consented to the committee remaining in being to assist

Index Numbers of Retail Prices—Cost of Living.
Country. Base Period = 100. January
1929. 1930. 1931.
United Kingdom … … … July, 1914 165 164 152
France … … … 1914 555* 565* †
Germany … … … 1913–14 153 152 140
United States … … … July, 1914 161 160 †
Denmark … … … July, 1914 173 170 159
Belgium … … … 1921 216 226 †
Australia … … … November, 1914 149* 146* †
* Average for March quarter. † Not yet available.
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices.
Country. Base Period = 100. January
1929. 1930. 1931.
United Kingdom … … … 1913 138 131 107
France … … … July, 1914 644 576 *
Germany … … … 1913 139 132 115
United States … … … 1926 97 93 *
Denmark … … … 1913 151 143 118
Belgium … … … April, 1914 867 808 *
Australia … … … 1911 179 172 *
* Not yet available.
NOTE.—Owing to differences in the numbers and descriptions of commodities used in the compilation of the above index numbers, and also to the differences in price levels in the base years, the indices do not afford a comparison between the price levels in the respective countries at the dates shown.

in advising the Treasury when called upon on questions arising from time to time in connection with loans guaranteed during the operation of the Acts. In the result Lord Plender has been good enough personally to deal with and advise upon various matters which in recent times have arisen. Mr. Bamford continues to act as Secretary and his office is at the Treasury.