§ Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the Prime Minister what action the Government proposes to take to deal with those persons who are charging 5s. per lb. for 219 butter; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of resorting to the full control of the necessaries of life?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)I have been asked to reply. The Government does not at present contemplate any action with a view to regulating or limiting the retail price of home-produced butter. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Cabinet have now under consideration the question of the extent to which the supervision or control of supplies and prices of essential foodstuffs is still necessary or desirable.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this profiteering is causing a great deal of unrest and discontent among the working-classes of the country, as they are not in a position to pay 5s. a lb. with the wages they are getting?
§ Mr. McCURDYWith regard to the suggestion that 5s. for butter is profiteering, I must point out to the hon. Member that the 5s. a lb. does not represent the actual cost of manufacturing butter at the present price of milk.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in permitting this high price of butter a great deal of milk, which would otherwise come into the milk market in the interests of the children, is being devoted to butter-making?
§ Captain LOSEBYMay I ask if this agitation in favour of the Government again controlling essential foodstuffs docs not come from the same quarter which was so violent in its agitation in favour of Government de-control?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe question of purchase of Danish butter is at present under consideration, if not already the subject of negotiations by the Ministry, but I can make no statement as to the price of Danish butter at the present moment. I have no knowledge of any agitation or 220 the source of any agitation for control or de-control as suggested by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. If he has any information of interest on the subject, I shall be glad to receive it.