HC Deb 03 March 1932 vol 262 cc1252-3
8. Mr. D. FOOT

asked the Minister of Labour the present comparative price of the 4-lb. wheaten loaf in the following countries: Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Norway, and Sweden?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House today whether the loaf is not cheaper in this country than in any of the other countries named?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I think the answer to that question is to be found in the very long reply which I am circulating. It contains a great many sta-

The latest figures available as to the average prices of white bread in the countries named are given in the Table below. In the absence of information concerning the qualities of bread to which the various quotations relate, it is not known how far the prices shown may be regarded as comparable one with another.
Country. Date. Average Price per 4 lb. of white bred.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (general average). 1st February, 1932 7d.
France (Paris) January, 1932 4.09 Francs.
Germany (6 large towns) Jauuary, 1931 1.49 Reichsmarks.
Belgium (Brussels) January, 1931 3.16 Francs.
Austria (Vienna) Middle of January, 1932 2.82 Schillings.
Czechoslovakia (general average) December, 1931 4.2 Korunas.
United States of America (51 towns) 15th December, 1931 28.8 Cents.
Canada (69 towns) Beginning of December, 1931. 24 Cents.
Australia (6 large towns) 15th September, 1931 7.2d. to 10.9d.
Irish Free State (general average) Middle of November, 1931 8d.
Union of South Africa (9 towns) December, 1931 14.72d.
Norway (general average) November, 1931 1.25 Kroner.
Sweden (49 towns) January, 1932 1.35 Kroner.
NOTE.—The figures given are taken from official publications of the countries concerned, except in the case of Germany and Belgium, for which countries they are extracted from the "International Labour Review" published by the International Labour Office which is the only available source of information as to the price of white bread in those countries.