asked the Taoiseach if he will state in terms of retail prices the purchasing power of £1 at mid-October of this year in comparison with the purchasing power of £1 at mid-October, 1938, 1948 and 1954, respectively.

It is estimated from the official consumer price index numbers that £1 at mid-August, 1956, would have purchased at retail prices the same quantum of goods and services as 8/- at mid-August, 1938, 14/8 at mid-August, 1948, and 18/8 at mid-August, 1954. Particulars for mid-October are not available since the index number is compiled only for the middle of the months of February, May, August and November. The computation for mid-November, 1956, is not yet complete.