§ 39. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of margarine was produced in this country in the years 1913 and 1925; the retail price per lb. in each year; and the quantity of margarine imported for the same two years?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELThe answer is a long one, and will, if the hon. Member agrees, be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I have no official figures of the production of margarine in the United Kingdom, but I understand that the production 1913 has been estimated to be about 84,000 tons, and in 1925 about 140,000 tons. The average price in 1651 July, 1914, of the margarine ordinarily consumed by working-class families as shown by returns collected at that date was 7d. a lb. Returns were not obtained for earlier dates, but from such general information as is available it would appear that the price of margarine during 1913 was not materially different from that in July, 1914. During the year 1925, the price of corresponding grades of margarine at the beginning of each month averaged 7½d. a lb. The total imports of margarine in 1913 were 76,000 tons, and in 1925, 70,000 tons.