§ 43. Dr. HOWITTasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the retail prices of bacon to the public at the present time, and comparable prices in the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)At 1st February, 1934, the latest date for which information is available, the average retail price of bacon, as ascertained by the inquiries which are made for the purpose of the official cost of living index number, was 1s. 1¾d. per 1b. At the corresponding dates in 1929, 1930 and 1931 the average retail prices per 1b. were 1s. 3¾d., 1s. 5½., and 1s. 0½d. respectively. The particulars collected relate as a rule to streaky bacon, but in some localities prices are obtained for other cuts which are more representative of local consumption.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that the price to-day is threepence above what it would be if the Government had not forced the price up?