20.
asked the Minister of Labour if the Cost of Living Advisory Committee has now reached a decision on the revision of the interim index of retail prices.
The Cost of Living Advisory Committee has not yet made any recommendations. The Committee has a heavy programme of work and will no doubt report to me as soon as it is able to do so.
Can the hon. Gentleman say how many times the Committee has met since it was reconstructed in January?
Yes, Sir. The Committee met on 7th February, 1st March, and 15th March, and it will meet again on 13th April.
When will it report?
Can the hon. Gentleman say what he means by the words "a heavy programme of work?" Is it a terrifically heavy programme to consider what items should come into the index?
From their terms of reference it is obvious that many decisions must be taken which should not be taken lightly.
21.
asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage increase in the price of clothing, fuel and light and household durable goods respectively, between August, 1945, and February, 1951.
On the basis of the information collected for the purpose of the interim index of retail prices, which commenced in June, 1947, the average percentage increases between that date and February, 1951, in the retail prices of clothing, fuel and light and household durable goods were 28, 26 and 24, respectively. Using such information as is available regarding the price changes for these groups of items before June, 1947, it is estimated that over the whole period from August, 1945, to February, 1951, the percentage increases were about 31 for clothing, about 25 for fuel and light, and about 29 for household durable goods.
Are these figures the wholesale or retail prices?
They are from the retail index.