71. Mr. Andersonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the current price in Manchester of Danish butter is 1s. 6d. per lb. as against is. 3d. per lb. on 2nd November, 1936, and that Empire butter to-day is 1s. 6d. per lb., as against Ts. per lb. on 2nd November, 1936; and what he intends to do to stop the increased charges that act so detrimentally on the purchasing power of working-class households?
Mr. StanleyThe recent increase in the price of butter is due to increased demand at a time when supplies from several sources, for instance, from Australia, the Irish Free State, and certain European countries, have been from one cause or another rather smaller than usual. These causes are not within the control of the Government.
Mr. AndersonIs it not a fact that people are now having to buy substitutes for butter, especially widows, old age pensioners, and people who are receiving allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and what are the Government going to do to stop this rise in prices, so that people with small purchasing power will be in a position to purchase butter rather than substitutes for butter?
Mr. StanleyAs I have pointed out to the hon. Gentleman, normally we should expect an increased price of butter here to bring an increased supply of butter from abroad, but owing to various causes, which we hope are temporary in those countries, there has been a reduction in supplies.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of taking off the duty on butter?