HC Deb 25 October 1949 vol 468 cc116-7W
55. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state in tabular form the amounts of loans due to America; the due dates, if any; and the rate of interest.

Sir S. Cripps

Following is the information:

ling taking the year 1900 as 100, for 1910, 1920, 1930, 1945 and at the latest available date; and the figures calculated over the whole field of public expenditure if the cost-of-living subsidies were disregarded.

Sir S. Cripps

Reckoned over the whole field of personal expenditure by the public, the purchasing power of the pound sterling was approximately as follows in the years in question:—

1900 100
1910 95
1920 37
1930 58
1945 38
1949 (13th September) 31

As has been explained on previous occasions, figures which ignore the cost-of-living subsidies would have no real meaning.

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