§ 65. Mr. COOTEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that under the regulations fixing the price in Ireland to the producers of dead pork at 133s. per cwt. profiteering is carried on over the country; that the retail price of bacon is now ls. 10d. to 2s. per lb., or 91s. per cwt. in excess of the price of pork; and that this retail price is reached by the bacon curers and their agents going direct to farmers and outside the markets, giving the producers large bonuses in addition to the schedule price of their pork, in order to secure control of the uncured article and charging the whole of these amounts plus the standard price to the consumer; and if he will now see his way to put an end to this profiteering by fixing the retail price of bacon and leave the market to correct itself under the retail standard only, as he has done in meat?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Bacon, Ham, and Lard (Provisional Prices) Order, which was issued last Saturday, resembles the Meat (Prices) Order in fixing profits or prices at every stage from the producer down to the consumer, and should prevent any profiteering on the part of the curers, wholesalers, or retailers
§ Mr. CRUMLEYHas not the wholesale price gone up to 214s. per cwt., and the rolled bacon 184s., and sides 214s.; and is he aware that the retail price in London is 2s. 6d. per lb., and in Ireland 2s. 3d. and 2s. 4d.?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe hon. Gentleman is calling attention to the alleged differences between meat and bacon bought by the public, and the prices under this Order, which came into effect last Saturday.
§ Mr. CLYNESIt came into effect last Saturday.
§ Mr. CLYNESI hope it will.