asked the Taoiseach if he will state the purchasing power of the pound sterling as at (i) mid-February, 1957, (ii) mid-February. 1959, and (iii) mid-May, 1959, in terms of its purchasing power at (a) July, 1914, and (b) mid-February, 1938.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchasing Power of Pound Sterling.
4.
It is estimated, on the basis of the Retail Price Index numbers (i) that at mid-February, 1957, £1 would have purchased the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as would 4s. 7½d. at July, 1914, and 8s. 0½d. at mid-February, 1938, and (ii), (iii) that at at both mid-February and mid-May, 1959, £1 would have purchased the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as would 4s. 3d. at July, 1914, and 7s. 4½d. at mid-February, 1938.