asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purchasing power of the pound sterling at lst July, as compared with 20s. in 1945.

About 16s. in mid-May, the latest date for which figures are available.

Can the Chancellor give the House any idea of when he anticipates that the pound will start to recover its value instead of continually losing it?

I cannot now make a general statement on the economic position. I made one quite recently.

Does not the Chancellor know that the figures which he has given to the House are an appalling indictment of the Government?

I do not think it is.

Will the Chancellor say whether the increase in cost affects Ministers in respect of their free cars in the same way as it affects private motorists?