§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that between October 1951 and May 1964 the Index of Retail Prices rose by 49 per cent., that the retail price of food rose by 56 per cent., and that housing costs and expenditure rose by 89 per cent.; and what were the corresponding figures for June 1964.
§ Mr. GodberThe rise in the Index of Retail Prices between October 1951 and May 1964 was about 50 per cent. and that for the Food group was about 57 per cent. The corresponding figures for June 1964 were 50 per cent. and 59 per cent., respectively. Because of changes in January 1956 in the composition of the Housing group of the Retail Prices Index it is not possible to give the rise since October 1951 in the Index for housing costs. The index for Rent and Rates rose by about 18 per cent. between October 1951 and January 1956. The index for the Housing group rose by 60 per cent. between January 1956 and May 1964 and by 61 per cent. between January 1956 and June 1964.