HC Deb 22 July 1942 vol 382 c33
48. Mr. W. Brown

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how long it will take for his Department to complete the investigation into London butchers' costs which it is at present engaged upon?

Mr. Mabane

I regret that it is not possible to give at the moment a specific indication of the time that will be taken to complete the investigations into butchers' costs, including London butchers' costs, but progress is being made as rapidly as possible.

Mr. Brown

Can the Minister say for what period the Department are collecting this information? Is it for one month or three months?

Mr. Mabane

It is for the first three months of the operation of the new prices.

Mr. Brown

Would not a one month's period suffice for the purpose of securing the data that the Department want, as my information is that it would?

Mr. Mabane

I think that the agreement reached between the Department and the butchers was that the three months' period is better, but I will look into the point that my hon. Friend raises.