HC Deb 14 July 1949 vol 467 c35W
Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Labour what social benefits, which are received by the public and paid for by the State out of taxation, are taken into account in calculating the cost-of-living index.

Mr. Isaacs

The index of retail prices measures changes in the prices of commodities which enter into the expenditure of working-class households. It does not, therefore, take account of social benefits paid for out of taxation.