asked the Taoiseach whether he will give particulars of the cost-of-living index numbers (old series: base July, 1914=100) at the months of February, May, August and November of each year from May, 1947, to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost-of-Living Index.
The cost-of living index numbers (to base July, 1914=100) for the months of May, 1947, and August, 1947, were 305 and 319 respectively, as published in the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin for September, 1947. As this series of inder numbers was based on a completely out-of-date consumption standard, it was decided to discontinue it after August, 1947. As a temporary arrangement, pending the completion of a family budget inquiry, the present interim cost-of-living index (essential items), to base August, 1947=100, was inaugurated in November, 1947. It is considered that publication of the former cost-of-living index numbers for periods subsequent to August, 1947, in juxtaposition with the present official series, could only lead to confusion.
I am very grateful for the information which has been given, the substance of which we all know, of course, but is the Taoiseach not aware that, in point of fact, in the last month figures based on the old cost-of-living index were given in this House in reply to questions? Is there any objection to making these particular figures available for the purpose of comparison?
There is no difficulty in regard to one type of comparison. The former index was 319 in August, 1947, and by a simple sum in proportion, or by multiplying by 3.19, you can from the present figure arrive at a national one, because that is all it would be. Of course, if you want to find out what it would have been based on the old figures, you will have to work on the old wrong foundation. The figures on which that foundation was based had been discarded. If you were to work on these figures it would simply mean that you were working on two sets of figures, one set of which was discarded because it was on a wrong foundation. The only effect of having two sets of figures, as has been pointed out, would be to create confusion in the public mind.
What set of figures was wrong?
At the time it was maintained to be wrong and a temporary basis was fixed until, as a result of the examination of these household budgets, a more accurate figure could be found. It is quite clear it is wrong. If you go back to 1914, the whole pattern of consumption has changed since 1914.
In view of the fact that the pattern of consumption has so often and so radically changed, perhaps the present figure is wrong too.
Could the Taoiseach state why he refuses to give these figures to-day, when about a month ago he gave these figures in reply to another question?
We gave one of them. If a person asks for a particular set of figures it can be given. A certain amount of calculation, weightings and so on would be required. There would be no point in giving two sets of figures which would confuse the public. The point is that there is one set of figures, the official figures, to which we are adhering.