§ 36. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the price of sausages was recently advanced by 2d. per pound retail pork, and beef 1d. per pound; and whether there has been any advance in the price of the raw material?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)The increase in the price of grade "C" sausage was authorised after an inquiry had shown that the previous price, which was fixed in March, 1940, was insufficient to allow a reasonable margin to the trade when unsupported by profits from the sale of grade "A" and grade "B" sausages, the manufacture of which is now prohibited. There has been no recent increase in the price of meat, but the cost of certain other items and labour has advanced.
§ Mr. MorrisonIs it not somewhat significant that after the big sausage manufacturers got the trade into their own hands, an increase in price immediately took place?
Major Lloyd GeorgeWhen grade "A," "B" and "C" sausages were available, the amount of grade "C" sold formed a small proportion of the whole. It is not now practicable, when only grade "C" sausages are available, to retain the previous price of that grade.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us what are grade "C" sausages?
§ Mr. ThorneHow do the Ministry know that this percentage of meat is actually put into the sausages?