Oral Answers to Questions — Cost-of-Living Index.

– in the House of Commons at on 4 March 1940.

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Photo of Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte , Tiverton

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in calculating the cost-of-living figures, any allowance is made for the reduction in quantities consumed owing to rationing and the substitution of cheaper articles, such as margarine for butter, due to the same cause?

Photo of Mr Ralph Assheton Mr Ralph Assheton , Rushcliffe

The official cost-of-living index number is designed to measure the average percentage changes in the retail prices of a fixed list of commodities and services. The figures do not purport to reflect changes in expenditure due to alterations in the quantities of different commodities actually consumed by working-class households, as to which comprehensive statistics are not available.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte , Tiverton

May we take it that these figures are absolutely worthless for comparison with those we had before the war?

Photo of Mr Thomas Williams Mr Thomas Williams , Don Valley

Are we to understand from the answer that if working-class consumers consume inferior food, then the cost-of-living index should go down?

Photo of Mr William Thorne Mr William Thorne , West Ham Plaistow

Will the hon. Member send his wife to the shops to see the prices that she will have to pay?