HC Deb 17 March 1932 vol 263 cc438-9
10. Mr. HOWARD

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give a return of the average prices of bread per four-pound loaf at the latest comparable date in Britain, France, Germany, and Denmark?

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.

Following is the reply:

The average prices of bread at the latest comparable date, for the countries concerned, are given in the Table below. The figures shown are taken from official publications, and relate to white bread, except in the case of Germany, for which country the only information available for any recent date relates to rye bread. 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 to which price relates. Average price per 4 lb. of bread.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (general average). 1st January, 1932 7d.
France (Paris) January, 1932 4.09 Francs.
Germany (Berlin)* 20th January, 1932 0.65 Reichsmarks.
(34 towns)* 20th January, 1932 0.49 to 0.85 Reichsmarks.
Denmark (general average) January, 1932 1.16 Kroner.
* The prices quoted for Germany are for rye bread. The latest available information as to the price of white bread in Germany relates to January, 1931, when the average price in six large towns was reported to be equivalent to 1.49 Reichsmarks for 4 lb.