§ 56. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will specify the price controlled articles which do not enter into the dietary of the average consumer?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)Of the articles of human food of which the retail price is controlled by current Statutory Rule and Order, oysters, smoked salmon, goat meat, horseflesh, venison, game birds, cream, imported tomatoes, oranges, lemons, and bananas would not appear to enter into the dietary of the average consumer.
§ Sir L. LyleYes, but we have no bananas. What is the object of price-fixing these commodities and going to all this expense when the only effect is to drive them off the market?
§ Mr. MabaneThere are good reasons why every one of these commodities has been price-controlled. Although we have no bananas to-day, there may be better times ahead.