§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking October, 1967, as 100, what will be the level of the standard of living in November, 1968, and November, 1969, respectively, taking into account the effects of devaluation and the Budget proposals, price changes and the limitation of wage increases to 3½ per cent.
§ Mr. DiamondThe standard of living comprises both personal consumption and public consumption. The former is estimated to fall by about 2 per cent. in real terms between the second half of last year and the second half of this year, and to recover very slightly in the first half of next year. The latter is expected to rise in real terms by 2½–3 per cent. between the financial years 1967–68 and 1968–69.