§ 12. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that wholesale prices have dropped from 220 in March, 1951, compared with the standard of 100 in June, 1949, to 142 in December, 1953, while retail prices have risen from 119 in March, 1951, compared with the standard of 100 in June, 1947, to 140 in December, 1953; and what action he proposes to take to see that the lower wholesale pricesare passed on to the public.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe comparison which the hon. Member draws is quite misleading, since prices of the raw materials covered by the Wholesale Price Index affect only a very small part of the Interim Index of Retail Prices.