asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the commodities included in the calculation of the cost of living index figure which have increased in price since March, 1957, (b) the prices of such commodities on (i) 1st March, 1957 and (ii) the latest convenient date and (c) the percentage increase in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living: Index Figure Commodities.
With reference to parts (a) and (c) of the question I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the percentage change between mid-February and mid-November, 1957, in the prices of the items entering into the Consumer Price Index. Mid-February is the nearest date to 1st March for which such figures were compiled and mid-November, 1957, is the latest date for which they are at present available.
With reference to part (b) of the question I propose to circulate in the Official Report a second statement showing the national average retail prices of certain items of food in mid-February and mid-November, 1957. In the case of the other items in the Consumer Price Index no attempt is made to obtain quotations for an identical quality of the different articles in all areas and, therefore, any average prices computed would not be meaningful. The correctness of the percentage price changes is ensured by the fact that at each source the identical article is as far as possible priced at consecutive inquiries.
Following is the statement:—
(i) PERCENTAGE change between mid-February and mid-November, 1957, in prices of items entering into the Consumer Price Index.
|
Commodity |
Percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) |
|
FOOD: |
|
|
Beef |
+ 5.23 |
|
Mutton |
+ 4.36 |
|
Bacon and Pigs' heads |
– 2.50 |
|
Ham, uncooked |
– 0.16 |
|
,, cooked |
+ 0.34 |
|
Rashers, streaky |
– 1.88 |
|
Fresh pork, shoulder |
+ 0.13 |
|
Pork sausages |
– 1.06 |
|
Boiling fowl |
– 0.04 |
|
Kippered herring |
– 0.28 |
|
Fresh herring |
– 3.07 |
|
Whiting |
– 3.24 |
|
Cod steak |
– 3.86 |
|
Tinned salmon |
+ 1.11 |
|
Eggs, 1st grade, hen |
+ 122.69 |
|
Butter, Irish creamery |
+ 15.86 |
|
,, farmers |
+ 7.81 |
|
Margarine |
+ 1.12 |
|
Cheese |
– 0.12 |
|
Lard |
– 2.26 |
|
Fresh milk |
+ 0.17 |
|
Condensed milk |
+ 0.49 |
|
Bread |
+ 48.73 |
|
Household flour |
+ 73.24 |
|
Cake |
+ 1.06 |
|
Oatmeal |
– 1.06 |
|
Breakfast cereals |
+ 0.77 |
|
Rice |
– 0.62 |
|
Semolina |
– 2.75 |
|
Potatoes |
+ 30.12 |
|
Cabbage |
– 6.25 |
|
Onions |
+ 1.07 |
|
Carrots |
+ 20.20 |
|
Dried peas |
– 2.99 |
|
Cooking apples |
+ 4.47 |
|
Oranges |
– 7.04 |
|
Tomatoes |
– 11.97 |
|
Sultanas |
– 8.23 |
|
Tinned pears |
+ 1.21 |
|
Tinned beans in tomato sauce |
– 0.14 |
|
Tea, best quality |
– 10.10 |
|
Tea as used by wage-earning classes |
– 12.13 |
|
Coffee |
– 1.01 |
|
Cocoa |
+ 0.34 |
|
Cornflour |
+ 0.69 |
|
Custard powder |
+ 0.42 |
|
Sugar—white granulated |
+ 7.14 |
|
Salt, table |
– 0.14 |
|
Mustard |
+ 2.60 |
|
Jam—strawberry |
+ 3.12 |
|
,,—mixed fruit |
+ 2.46 |
|
,,—marmalade |
+ 3.27 |
|
Sauce |
+ 1.93 |
|
Boiled sweets |
+ 0.26 |
|
Bar of chocolate |
+ 0.25 |
|
Biscuits |
+ 3.59 |
|
Jellies |
+ 0.33 |
|
Soft drinks |
+ 0.51 |
|
Other groceries |
+ 11.10 |
|
DRINK AND TOBACCO: |
|
|
Beer and ale |
+ 3.53 |
|
Stout—bottled |
+ 7.55 |
|
,,—draught |
+ 6.68 |
|
Whiskey (Irish) |
+ 4.32 |
|
Cigarettes |
+ 6.07 |
|
Tobacco |
+ 6.69 |
|
CLOTHING: |
|
|
MEN'S: |
|
|
Suit—readymade |
+ 0.19 |
|
,,—tailormade |
+ 0.09 |
|
Overcoat—readymade |
+ 0.23 |
|
Cotton raincoat, rubberproofed |
+ 0.56 |
|
Wool gaberdine raincoat |
+ 0.13 |
|
Sports coat |
+ 0.23 |
|
Flannel trousers |
– 0.03 |
|
Hat |
+ 0.99 |
|
Overalls |
+ 1.63 |
|
Pullover (wool, sleeveless) |
+ 1.04 |
|
Cotton singlet |
+ 1.48 |
|
Woollen vest (short sleeves) |
+ 1.58 |
|
Underpants |
+ 1.73 |
|
Shirt (collar attached) |
+ 0.45 |
|
,, (tunic 2 collars) |
+ 0.31 |
|
Pyjamas |
+ 0.07 |
|
Socks |
+ 1.66 |
|
BOYS' (AGED ABOUT 12 YEARS): |
|
|
Suit |
+ 0.81 |
|
Overcoat |
+ 0.35 |
|
Raincoat |
+ 0.54 |
|
Woollen jersey (long sleeves) |
+ 1.93 |
|
Shirt |
+ 0.97 |
|
Woolen stockings |
+ 0.86 |
|
WOMEN'S: |
|
|
Light coat |
+ 0.34 |
|
Heavy coat |
+ 0.45 |
|
Costume |
– 0.11 |
|
Blouse |
+ 0.28 |
|
Skirt |
– 0.37 |
|
Woolen dress |
– 0.33 |
|
Silk or art silk dress |
+ 0.20 |
|
Cotton dress |
+ 0.57 |
|
Hat |
+ 0.08 |
|
Gloves |
+ 0.78 |
|
Cardigan |
+ 0.33 |
|
Slip |
+ 0.08 |
|
Brassiere |
+ 0.39 |
|
Corset |
+ 0.17 |
|
Knickers |
+ 0.14 |
|
Vest |
+ 0.33 |
|
Nightdress |
+ 0.60 |
|
Stockings—nylon—fully fashioned |
– 0.21 |
|
,,—lisle |
+ 0.72 |
|
GIRLS (AGED ABOUT 12 YEARS): |
|
|
Overcoat |
+ 0.22 |
|
Cotton frock |
+ 0.61 |
|
Woollen frock |
+ 0.49 |
|
Stockings |
+ 0.39 |
|
OTHER CLOTHING ITEMS: |
|
|
Cotton piece goods |
+ 0.26 |
|
Woollen piece goods |
– 3.26 |
|
Knitting wool |
+ 1.57 |
|
FOOTWEAR: |
|
|
Men's boots |
– 0.04 |
|
,, shoes (leather sole) |
+ 0.16 |
|
Boys' boots (for boy of 12) |
+ 0.24 |
|
Boys' shoes (for boy of 12) |
+ 0.37 |
|
Wellington boots (for boy of 12) |
+ 2.05 |
|
Women's shoes |
+ 0.21 |
|
Girls' shoes (for girl of 12) |
+ 0.82 |
|
Child's sandals |
+ 0.61 |
|
Men's rubber boots |
– 1.28 |
|
OTHER CLOTHING |
+ 0.25 |
|
FUEL AND LIGHT: |
|
|
Candles |
+ 4.38 |
|
Paraffin |
– 4.76 |
|
Coal |
+ 0.26 |
|
Gas |
+ 0.16 |
|
Turf (other than briquettes) |
+ 0.17 |
|
Firewood blocks |
+ 1.06 |
|
Electricity |
0.00 |
|
DURABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS: |
|
|
Wire mattress |
+ 0.18 |
|
Spring interior mattress |
+ 1.17 |
|
Fibre mattress |
+ 0.05 |
|
Kitchen chair |
+ 0.49 |
|
Kitchen table, white deal |
+ 0.30 |
|
Three-piece suite upholstered |
– 0.17 |
|
Bedroom suite |
+ 0.02 |
|
Wireless receiving set |
– 0.12 |
|
Carpet |
– 0.03 |
|
Linleum |
+ 2.25 |
|
Doormat |
+ 0.13 |
|
Blankets, woollen |
+ 0.95 |
|
Sheets |
+ 0.66 |
|
Curtain material |
– 1.27 |
|
Hand towel (terry) |
0.00 |
|
Dishcloth |
0.00 |
|
Table knives |
– 0.40 |
|
Forks |
+ 1.65 |
|
Cup and saucer, undecorated whitewear |
+ 1.29 |
|
Tumbler |
– 0.80 |
|
Saucepan, aluminium |
+ 0.95 |
|
Glavanised bucket |
+ 0.49 |
|
Sweeping brush |
+ 0.47 |
|
Scrubbing brush |
– 1.49 |
|
Electric iron |
+ 0.07 |
|
Electric lamp bulb, 60 watt |
0.00 |
|
Non-electrical appliances |
– 11.75 |
|
Motor cars and motor cycles |
+ 0.82 |
|
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES: |
|
|
Soap—household |
+ 0. |
|
,, —toilet |
0. |
|
,, —powder |
0. |
|
Scouring powder |
0. |
|
Boot polish |
+ 1. |
|
Floor polish |
+ 0. |
|
Toothpaste |
+ 1. |
|
Toilet paper |
0. |
|
Razor blades |
+ 0. |
|
Face powder |
+ 0. |
|
Lipstick |
+ 0. |
|
Aspirin |
0. |
|
Quinine |
+ 0. |
|
Matches |
+ 1. |
|
Writing pad |
+ 0. |
|
Package of envelopes |
0. |
|
Bicycle |
+ 1. |
|
Cycle tyre |
+ 1. |
|
Papers and magazines |
+ 0. |
|
Petrol and oil |
+ 8. |
|
Admission to cinema |
+ 2. |
|
,, to football match |
+ 1. |
|
,, to dance |
+ 0. |
|
Shoe repairs, men's sole and heel, leather |
+ 0. |
|
Men's haircut |
+ 0. |
|
Women's trim, shampoo and set |
+ 0. |
|
Dry cleaning of men's three-piece suit |
– 0. |
|
Dry cleaning of women's costume |
0. |
|
Travel—train |
0. |
|
,,—bus |
0. |
|
,,—other travelling |
+ 2. |
|
Post |
0. |
|
Phone |
0. |
|
Education |
+ 8. |
|
Domestic service |
+ 4. |
|
Hotel expenses |
0. |
|
HOUSING: |
|
|
Rent and Rates of rented dwellings |
+ 2.25 |
|
Rates of owner occupied dwellings |
– 1.30 |
|
Repairs and decoration of all dwellings |
+ 3.22 |
(ii) NATIONAL Average Retail Prices of certain items of food at mid-February and mid-November, 1957.
|
Article |
Per |
Average price to nearest ¼d. |
|||
|
Mid-Feb. 1957 |
Mid-Nov. 1957 |
||||
|
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
||
|
Beef— |
|||||
|
Round steak |
lb. |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4¼ |
|
Sirloin |
,, |
3 |
5¼ |
3 |
8¼ |
|
Rib |
,, |
2 |
9 |
2 |
10¼ |
|
Shoulder |
,, |
2 |
5¼ |
2 |
6¼ |
|
Neck |
,, |
2 |
3 |
2 |
4¼ |
|
Corned brisket |
,, |
1 |
10 |
1 |
11¼ |
|
Liver |
,, |
2 |
5 |
2 |
5¾ |
|
Mutton— |
|||||
|
Leg |
,, |
3 |
1¾ |
3 |
3½ |
|
Loin chops |
,, |
3 |
8 |
3 |
9¾ |
|
Neck |
,, |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Shoulder |
,, |
2 |
7¼ |
2 |
8¼ |
|
Fillet |
,, |
3 |
3½ |
3 |
5½ |
|
Bacon— |
|||||
|
Irish, streaky |
,, |
3 |
11 |
3 |
9¾ |
|
Irish, shoulder |
,, |
2 |
9½ |
2 |
8½ |
|
Pigs' heads |
,, |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0¾ |
|
Ham, uncooked |
,, |
4 |
0¼ |
4 |
0 |
|
Ham, cooked |
,, |
6 |
8¾ |
6 |
9 |
|
Rashers, streaky |
,, |
4 |
0 |
3 |
11 |
|
Fresh pork, shoulder |
,, |
3 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
|
Pork sausages |
,, |
2 |
9¼ |
2 |
8¾ |
|
Boiling Fowl |
,, |
2 |
4¾ |
2 |
4¾ |
|
Kippered herring |
doz. |
4 |
4½ |
4 |
4¼ |
|
Fresh herring |
lb. |
10¾ |
10½ |
||
|
Fish—Whiting |
,, |
1 |
10½ |
1 |
9¾ |
|
,, —Cod steak |
,, |
2 |
11¼ |
2 |
10 |
|
Eggs |
doz. |
2 |
8½ |
6 |
0½ |
|
Butter—Irish Creamery |
lb. |
3 |
8¾ |
4 |
4 |
|
,,—Irish Farmers' |
,, |
3 |
4¾ |
3 |
7¾ |
|
Margarine |
,, |
1 |
7¾ |
1 |
8 |
|
Cheese |
,, |
2 |
10½ |
2 |
10½ |
|
Lard |
,, |
1 |
8 |
1 |
7½ |
|
Fresh Milk |
quart |
11¾ |
11¾ |
||
|
Bread |
2lb. loaf |
9 |
1 |
1½ |
|
|
Flour—household |
14 lbs. |
4 |
2½ |
7 |
3½ |
|
Oatmeal |
,, |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
Rice |
lb. |
11¼ |
11¼ |
||
|
Semolina |
,, |
1 |
0½ |
1 |
0 |
|
Potatoes |
14 lbs. |
2 |
0¼ |
2 |
7½ |
|
Cabbage |
head |
5½ |
5¼ |
||
|
Onions |
lb. |
8½ |
8½ |
||
|
Carrots |
,, |
6 |
7¼ |
||
|
Dried Peas |
,, |
1 |
3¾ |
1 |
3¼ |
|
Cooking apples |
,, |
7½ |
8 |
||
|
Oranges |
,, |
1 |
6¼ |
1 |
5 |
|
Tomatoes |
,, |
2 |
0¼ |
1 |
9¼ |
|
Sultanas |
,, |
1 |
10¾ |
1 |
9 |
|
Tinned beans in Tomato sauce |
1 lb. tin |
1 |
2¼ |
1 |
2¼ |
|
Tea—best |
lb. |
8 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
|
—as used by wage-earning classes |
,, |
7 |
1¼ |
6 |
3 |
|
Coffee |
,, |
6 |
4¾ |
6 |
4 |
|
Cornflour |
½lb. pkt. |
11¾ |
11¾ |
||
|
Custard powder |
,, |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Sugar |
lb. |
7 |
7½ |
||
|
Jam—Strawberry |
,, |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0¾ |
|
—Mixed Fruit |
,, |
1 |
4¼ |
1 |
4¾ |
|
—Marmalade |
,, |
1 |
8¼ |
1 |
8¾ |
|
Jellies |
pkt. |
9¼ |
9¼ |