asked the Taoiseach the purchasing power of the £1 today as compared with its value at 1st January, 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value of £1.
6.
It is estimated on the basis of the Consumer Price Index numbers that at mid-November, 1968, the latest date for which the index is available, £1 would purchase the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as would 13s 2d at mid-November, 1956. The index numbers are calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has now repeated this exercise of preparing the Third Programme for Economic Expansion would he care to prophesy to the House what the purchasing power of the £ will be at the end of the four years of the Third Programme for Economic Expansion?
I would not.
That is a separate question.