§ 20. Sir Robert Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among Service families in B.A.O.R. at the prices charged by N.A.A.F.I. families' shops; if he will cause an investigation to be made so that an explanation will be given why Allenbury's Food should cost 6s. 3d. and Bisto 5s. against, approximately, 4s. 6d. and 2s., respectively, in this country; and why other articles of diet, etc., cost more than 50 per cent. over home prices.
§ Mr. BellengerI am aware that there have been complaints by Service families in Germany about the prices in N.A.A.F.I. family shops. The matter has been investigated, and the prices charged are considered to be justified. As regards the particular examples referred to in the Question, my hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed: Allenbury's Foods Nos. 1 and 2 cost, in B.A.O.R., 4s. 6d., and No. 3, 2s. a tin, which are the current prices in this country; Bisto costs 8½d. for an 8 ounce pack compared with 7½d. for a 7 ounce pack in this country. Although it is true that some goods cost more than in the United Kingdom, others cost less.
§ Sir R. YoungIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a long list of articles sold by N.A.A.F.I. at prices which are 50 per cent. and more higher, I believe? Will he look into it, if I send it on to him?
§ Mr. BellengerYes, certainly.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs it not time we reviewed this whole issue, whether civilians serving with the B.A.O.R. men should be subsidised by the other customers of N.A.A.F.I.—the men of the Armed Forces? If we are going to adopt a policy 1060 of serving babies and mothers over there, should not the Treasury subsidise them, and not the troops, who have to find this out of their own pockets?
§ Mr. C. S. TaylorCan the right hon. Gentleman say why N.A.A.F.I. are excluded from the Maximum Price Orders produced by the Ministry of Food?
§ Mr. BellengerI do not think the conditions are quite the same. On the whole, the prices are fair as between command and command.