HC Deb 27 January 1943 vol 386 cc503-28

Resolution reported: That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £900,000,000 be granted to His Majesty, towards defraying the expenses which may be incurred during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1943, for general Navy, Army and Air services and supplies in so far as specific provision is not made therefor by Parliament; for securing the public safety, the defence of the realm, the maintenance of public order and the efficient prosecution of the war; for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community; and generally for all expenses, beyond those provided for in the ordinary Grants of Parliament, arising out of the existence of a state of war. Resolution read a Second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Mr. Tinker (Leigh)

Yesterday the Chancellor mentioned the question of stabilisation of prices, but he did not cover it very much. In the amount of this Vote is any sum included for carrying on the stabilisation of prices of essential foodstuffs? In 1941 the right hon. Gentleman laid down a policy by which a sum of money was to be found by the Government to control prices. Last year he emphasised that policy again and said that the £125,000,000 which would be required for this purpose would have to be increased this year. Is anything being provided in the present Vote for the further control of prices? Recently there has been an increase of 4d. per pound in the price of tea. I am wondering whether the Government have departed from their policy, and some of us are much perturbed about it.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I can, I hope, give a satisfactory reply to my hon. Friend. When stabilisation was first dealt with I made a statement in my Budget speech setting out what the objects of the stabilisation policy were and giving an undertaking that so long as certain conditions were maintained I would, through the means of the finances of the State, maintain prices at the level that I then mentioned. That undertaking has been kept ever since. It is true that from time to time the prices of various commodities may vary, but if they vary at all, they have still to be within the terms of my undertaking so far as the general amount of prices is concerned. For instance, there may be an increase to-day in the price of tea owing to this or that circumstance, but that increase cannot be permitted, if my undertaking is to be maintained, if it upsets the general balance on the lines that I then laid down. As a matter of fact, to-day, notwithstanding the increase in the price of tea, the figures are much below the undertaking I gave. I hope that when I introduce the Budget I shall be able to give a review of how the matter has gone during the full period. My hon. Friend can feel satisfied that the undertaking of the Government has been fully maintained.

Mr. Tinker

When the right hon. Gentleman is balancing the thing will he watch to see that any increased price is not put on commodities which the poor people have to buy?

Sir K. Wood

Certainly.

Question put, and agreed to.