COST OF LIVING.

HC Deb 04 May 1937 vol 323 cc999-1000W

Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increasing alarm and protests among persons of small incomes in Greenock and elsewhere concerning the rapid rise in the prices of foodstuffs and other neces-

quantity of coal sold in inland and export markets, respectively, from South Wales coalfields from 1922 and each year to date?

Captain Crookshank

I regret that the desired information with regard to coal sold inland and c.i.f. prices is not available.

saries, he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to arrest such rise?

Mr. Chamberlain

With increasing prosperity and improved employment there is a natural tendency for prices to rise somewhat above the very low level to which they fell during the slump, but there has been no abnormal development in this country and the cost of living is still decidedly lower than it was before the depression started in 1929 and 1930.