§ Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far his policy of reducing the general cost of living below the October, 1951, level has proved successful; and what further action he proposes to take to implement his declared policy of reducing the cost of living.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAs my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary said in reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 21st October, the cost of living depends on many factors, some of which are outside the Government's control. The Government, for their part, will continue their various policies designed to provide stable economic conditions and so prevent inflation from forcing up prices. But positive reductions of the cost of living must come in the main from reductions of costs and from increases in productivity, which are primarily the task of both sides of industry.