HC Deb 23 June 1932 vol 267 cc1256-7
51. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the recent increase in the price of bread in London from 6½d. to 7d. per quartern?

54. Mr. MANDER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information showing to what extent the recent increase in London prices of the quartern loaf by a halfpenny is due to the wheat quota system; and whether the is satisfied that this increase is reasonable in all circumstances?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

When allowance is made for the quota payment of 10.8d. per cwt. of flour, equivalent to 2s. 3d. per sack of 280 lbs., which under the Wheat (Quota Payments) No. 1 Order, 1932, millers and importers of flour are liable to make to the Wheat Commission as from 19th June, the present price of 7d. per quartern loaf is in accordance with the Food Council scale of bread prices.

Mr. DAVIES

May we take it, therefore, that the rise in the price of bread in London is one of the first effects of the introduction of the wheat quota system in this country?

Mr. MANDER

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that nothing will be done at Ottawa still further to increase the price of bread to the people of this country?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Member tell us now what becomes of the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture on the Second Reading of the Wheat Bill that an increase of only one farthing for 10 weeks would be necessary and that for 42 weeks there would be no increase at all? Can he explain that away?

Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLEN

Is it not a fact that the price is simply returning to what it was two years ago?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

If the hon. Member who put the question about the speech of my right hon. Friend will put it in 42 weeks' time, he will get a satisfactory answer. It must be borne in mind that the price of bread is as low now as at any time since the War.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is it not a fact that the Minister of Agriculture stated that the increase would be only one farthing per quartern loaf, and not 42 weeks hence?

Mr. DICKIE

Is it not a fact that at the time the Wheat Bill was passing the price of the loaf fell one halfpenny?