§ 45. Sir L. Lyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, for purposes of comparison, he will state the cost-of-living index figure two years after the start of the 1914–18war,and the amount of State subsidy at that time granted to food and food production, with the corresponding figures to date in this war?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Cost-of-Living Index (July, 1914 = 100) had risen by 45 to 50 per cent, by July 1st, 1916. Between 1st August; 1939, and the same date in 1941 the increase was 28 per cent. For food only, the corresponding increases are 61 per cent. (July, 1914, to July, 1916), and 22 per cent. (August, 1939, to August, 1941). The total net expenditure on food subsidies up to 31st March, 1941, was approximately £80,000,000. Similar figures are not available as to expenditure incurred since that date, but the present rate of expenditure is in excess of £100,000,000 a year. These figures include certain subsidies such as cattle sugar beet, which were payable before the outbreak of war, and the cost of the national milk and other milk schemes, but exclude the cost of the 184 ploughing-up grant and similar items which fall on the Votes of the Agricultural Departments. No subsidies comparable with those at present borne by the Ministry of Food were in operation during the first two years of the last war. The first Ministry of Food was not established until December, 1916.