§ 65. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry as to why the price of bread should be 8d. to 9d. per 4-1b. loaf now as compared with 5d. to 6d. in 1913, having regard to the fact that British wheat prices are, approximately, similar for both periods?
§ 71. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the rise in the retail price of bread; whether the Food Council has investigated this increase; and what is the justification for it in view of the low price of wheat?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMAs I stated in the House on 11th February, the price of the loaf is dependent on many factors besides the price of wheat. I understand that the London associations of bakers have decided to apply a scale of bread prices which is on a higher level than that approved by the Food Council and the matter is now under consideration by the Food Council.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the right hon. Gentleman really make inquiry to show us why it is that there is this great disparity in prices between now and pre-War?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThis matter has very frequently been reviewed. I shall he delighted to give the right hon. Gentleman or any other hon. Member the very fullest information. I can assure the House that this proposed increase will again be most carefully analysed.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I respectfully point out to the right hon. Gentleman that, although this matter has been reviewed the cost of the loaf is still 3d. more than it was pre-War?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOn that point, I can only repeat what I have already said to the House, that in my view this matter can only be dealt with by giving the new Consumers' Council appropriate powers, and I have already stated that legislation to that end will be introduced at the earliest possible moment.
§ Colonel Sir T. VANSITTART BOWATERIs it not a fact that wages at the present time are about twice what they were in 1914?