§ 41. Mr. Ivor Guestasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the retail prices of mutton and beef as set out in the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living index for last month and for the same month in 1937 shows an insignificant change, and that the prices of these commodities to farmers have fallen to an alarming extent, he will consider instituting an inquiry to ascertain the reasons in these differences between retail and wholesale prices?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that the fall in the price of fat sheep during the past year has been reflected only to a relatively small extent in retail mutton prices, but prices of fat cattle and retail prices of beef show very little change in comparison with a year ago. The relations 1796 between wholesale and retail prices of food, including meat, are kept under review by the Food Council, and I do not consider it necessary, in the circumstances, to institute the special inquiry suggested by my hon. Friend.