Cost of Living

Part of Orders of the Day — Civil Estimates, 1964–65 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 July 1964.

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Photo of Mr James Prior Mr James Prior , Lowestoft 12:00, 20 July 1964

The Government do not want to stop people earning more money, but they have a responsibility to keep the economy in balance. Our problem has arisen because we have been trying to pay ourselves a little more than the work that we do deserves. If we do not face up to this problem, we shall not face up to any problem at all. The hon. Member spoke of housewives telling their husbands that they must earn more money because prices have risen. My experience is that on the whole housewives understand the problem far better than the men do and are trying to be a restraining influence on their men in many ways. They tell them, "Do not go for such high wages because that only forces up prices."