§ 64. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture the retail price per lb. of home-killed beef on 1st April, 1923, and on 1st July, 1923, of chilled beef on 1st April, 1923, and on 1st July, 1923, and of frozen beef on 1st April, 1923, and on 1st July, 1923; and whether he anticipates any future reduction in the price of meat owing to the introduction of Canadian stores?
§ Major BARNSTON (for Sir Robert Sanders)I have been asked to reply, and as the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Brigadier-General BROWNIn view of the promise of the Meat Trust that we should get our meat sixpence per pound cheaper if the embargo were removed, will the Ministry take some steps to see that the promise is carried out?
35 Following are the figures:
The official statistics of retail prices compiled by the Ministry of Labour for the purpose of calculating the index number of the cost of living of working-class families show that the average retail prices of beef per lb. on the 31st March and 1st June, 1923, were as follow:
Figures for the 30th June are not yet available.
31st March. 1st June. Beef, British. s. d. s. d. Ribs 1 5¾ 1 5¾ Thin Flank 10½ 10½ Chilled or Frozen. Ribs 10¼ 10¼ Thin Flank 5¾ 5¾ With regard to the last part of the question, it is not possible to forecast what may be the effect on prices of the admission of store cattle from Canada.