§ 49. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the index of 69 for food over the level of July, 1914, takes account of the subsidy of £335,000,000.
§ Sir W. SmithersWould it not be better in the national interest to reduce the gap betwen production and consumption prices so that the consumer might be—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member seems to be indulging in argument and not in a 2522 supplementary question arising out of Question 49.
§ Sir W. SmithersI am asking the Chancellor to reduce the gap between consumption and production so that the consumer may be aware of the very grave food situation, aggravated by the policy of this Government.
§ Mr. DaltonWhat the hon. Gentleman is asking me to do is to put up the cost of living, and that is not going to happen.
§ 54. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the sum of £158,000,000 representing cost of maintaining home-grown food prices at their present level, is accounted for by administrative charges; if these charges include the administrative costs of the Ministry of Food; what these costs amount to and what commodities are covered by them.
§ Mr. DaltonAbout£4million, or less than 3 per cent. of the subsidy, is attributable to the administrative charges on home produced food. The commodities covered are shown in the estimate.
§ Mr. StewartDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean what I asked, namely, that that £4 million to which he refers represents the cost to the Ministry of Food?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, what I have given is the administrative cost of the subsidy on home produced food.
§ Mr. StewartMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman to reply to the Question?
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have taken only 54 Questions up to now. We are doing badly today.