§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Labour to what extent the cost of living has been reduced by the subsidy granted for the purpose of pegging the cost to the consumer of rationed goods?
§ Mr. BevinIt is estimated that if the cost of items included in the cost-of-living index, in respect of which subsidies are being paid by the Ministry of Food, were to increase by amounts equivalent to those subsidies, the cost-of-living index would be raised by about 20 points, or 10 per cent. over its present level. It is impossible to estimate what would be the effect on the cost of living if all the other measures taken by the Government to stabilise prices were discontinued.