§ Mr. Stewardasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give figures for the change in the Retail Prices Index during each of the four years ended November, 1950, November, 1951, November, 1952, and November, 1953; and also comparative figures for the change in the average weekly earnings for the same years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe following table shows the changes in the Interim Index of Retail Prices during each of the four years ended November, 1950, to November, 1953. Figures of average weekly earnings are collected for April and October of each year, and the table shows the changes for each of the four years ended October, 1950, to October, 1953.
Year Percentage increase in Retail Prices Index Percentage increase in average weekly earnings 1949–50 2.9 5.1 1950–51 11.9 10.2 1951–52 6.3 7.7 1952–53 2.1 5.4
§ Mr. Stewardasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give comparative figures for the percentage change in the Retail Prices Index, all items, and for the change in average weekly earnings over 134W the two-year period up to autumn, 1951, and the two-year period since autumn, 1951.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDuring the two years ended October, 1951, the Interim Index of Retail Prices rose by 14.7 per cent, and the average level of weekly earnings by 15.9 per cent. During the two years ended October, 1953, the corresponding percentage increases were 8.8 for retail prices and 13.5 for weekly earnings.