§ 7. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware 1172 that the retail price of bacon has increased by 3d. per pound during the past three weeks; and if the Food Council is inquiring into the cause of the increase?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy information is that an increase varying from 1d. to 4d. a pound has occurred since the end of May in the retail price of Danish bacon, but that no increase appears to have taken place in the retail prices of other kinds, including Wiltshire and Irish bacon. The rise in the retail price of Danish bacon follows an advance in wholesale prices from the exceptionally low level reached early this year. I understand that the rise in prices is attributed in the trade to the larger demand which had been stimulated by the unusually low prices. I am also informed that bacon prices usually increase at this time of the year. I do not think that any special inquiry into the matter is called for.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this price includes the skin and bone, as retailed?