asked the Taoiseach if he will state for the complete year 1949 (a) the index figures for the cost of living (all items) and the cost of clothing from their original base July, 1914=100; (b) the agricultural prices index from base 1911-13=100; and (c) the cost of manufactured articles for agricultural and household use also from base 1911-13=100.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living and Agricultural Prices.
(a) In 1949 the cost-of-living index (all items) is estimated to have been 317 and the index for the clothing group to have been 450 to the original base, July, 1914=100, (b) the agricultural prices index in 1949 is estimated to have been 283 to the original base, 1911-13=100. As regards (c), the manufactured articles for agricultural use for which data are available are animal feeding stuffs and fertilisers for which, to the original base 1914=100, the index numbers have been estimated at 297 and 231 respectively. The only figure available in respect of manufactured articles for household use is that for clothing quoted above.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, on the figures disclosed, the price of agricultural produce would want almost to be doubled to bring the income of those engaged in the agricultural industry up to the level of those engaged in industrial employment and that were it not for the relatively low price of agricultural produce, the cost-of-living figure would be probably 50 points higher than at present?
I do not think the Deputy's inference is necessarily correct.