HC Deb 03 December 1937 vol 329 cc2419-20W
Mr. Naylor

asked the Minister of Labour, whether the cost-of-living averages given in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for November, 1937, relate to all commodities or to food only?

Mr. E. Brown

In each issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette, including the November issue, the statistics published relating to the average percentage changes in working-class costs of living since July, 1914, give separate percentages for (a) food, (b) rent, (c) clothing, (d) fuel and light, and (e) various other items, and a figure is also given representing the average percentage increase in all these items combined. The figures for 1st November will be found on page 454 of the November issue of the Gazette. In a statistical supplement which is included with the November issue, figures are also given showing the average levels of working-class costs of living, in each quarter during the period 1928–1937, expressed as percentages of those for (a) July, 1914, and (b) the year 1924; these figures are general averages covering all the items of expenditure included within the scope of the cost-of-living statistics.