§ 54. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that if the bread subsidy is reduced, and the price of flour advanced to 19s. 3d. per sack, it will mean the advancement of the price of the quartern loaf from 9½d. to over 1s., which will mean that thousands of families will have to pay 4s. at least extra for the bread per week; if he is aware that the workers will be compelled to petition to various employers of labour for an advance in wages equivalent to the extra cost of the bread; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe considerations referred to in my hon. Friend's question were all taken fully into account before coming to the decision which I announced last week.
§ 72. Mr. SWANasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, when the question of reducing the bread subsidy was being considered, account was taken of the fact that according to the figures published by the Board of Inland Re-venue the farmers' capital of the United Kingdom had increased during the period of the war by £290,000,000?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.
§ 73. Mr. SWANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade what 1784 effect the partial abolition of the bread subsidy will have on the average cost of living, as recorded in the "Labour Gazette"; and what corresponding increase it is proposed to make in the minimum wages fixed by the Trade Boards?
§ Lieut.-Colonel GILMOURI have been asked to reply to this question. With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 11th March by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham, East. With regard to the latter part of the question, the variation of minimum rates of wages fixed under the Trade Board Acts is a matter within the discretion of the several Trade Boards, and any increase in the cost of living would doubtless be one of the factors to which the Boards would give consideration.