asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchasing value of the £ sterling at the latest convenient date when compared with 20s. in October, 1951; and the comparable figure for October, 1953, and October, 1954.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 20s. in October, 1951, it is estimated that the corresponding figure for February, 1955, was 18s. 5d., and for October, 1953, and October, 1954, 19s. 2d. and 18s. 8d. respectively. This estimate is based on the Consumer Price Index and the Interim Index of Retail Prices.

What a shocking confession of failure.

In order that this matter may be put into proper perspective, will my hon. Friend consider publishing in the Monthly Digest of Statistics a six-monthly account of the progress of the £ since the end of the war?