§ 1. Mr. CLUSEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the last four or five weeks the prices of meat in market streets such as Chapel Street and Essex Road, Islington, have considerably advanced, especially in the case of South American chilled beef principally sold there that the normally cheap classes of veal are now very dear; that the pork sold is mostly Chinese frozen pork; and whether he proposes to use his powers for dealing with cases in which excessive prices are demanded of the public for necessary articles of food?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE- LISTERWith regard to the first part of the question, I am not aware that there has been any considerable increase in the price of meat in the market streets in Islington referred to. Certain fluctuations in prices have occurred which correspond with variations in the wholesale price, but I am unaware of any increase in this district which can be regarded as exceptional. With regard to the second part, I am aware that the price of veal has advanced since the prohibition of Continental imports. With regard to the third part of the question, I have no information at my disposal that the majority of the pork sold is Chinese. 233 With regard to the last part of the question, if the hon. Member will furnish me with evidence in support of the suggestion that excessive prices are being demanded, I shall be glad to institute further inquiries.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understand the amount of Chinese pork which arrives in this country is exiguous and I am sorry if Islington has secured a larger proportion of it than other places.