HC Deb 23 April 1947 vol 436 cc1031-4
50. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the list of some 47 imported articles of food, the prices of which have risen from 73 per cent. to over 500 per cent. for 1946, as compared with 1938; and, in the national interest, if he will cease bulk purchasing in these commodities and allow healthy competition through the normal trade channels to operate.

Mr. Strachey

I have considered the price list of fruits which the hon. Member was good enough to send me. Some of them are imported by bulk purchase, some by "competition through the normal channels of trade" as he so much desires. A comparison of the prices which we have to pay as a result of each method of importation is therefore most instructive. I find that the seven types of fruit and vegetables contained in his list which are subject to bulk purchase have increased in price by between 16 per cent. and 250 per cent. On the other hand, the increases in price of the rest, which are imported by private traders, is from 175 per cent. to 980 per cent. This does not suggest that our present bulk purchasing arrangements for the more important fruits should be abandoned.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Minister why he has wriggled on this matter? My Question was about articles of food, and the right hon. Gentleman has confined himself to fruit. It is a most unfair reply.

Mr. Strachey

The answer is that the list with which the hon. Member furnished me confined itself to fruit.

Mr. Walkden

May I ask my right hon. Friend, in view of the information which he has given to the House, what action he proposes to take to control these people, who are undoubtedly speculators and profiteers, who care nothing for the proud honour of Britain, and whose practices are, in the main, despicable and contemptible in the eyes of the average man?

Mr. Strachey

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that the private fruit importers, who are importing fruit of minor varieties under open and general licence, can be described as he describes them. They are ordinary merchants, undoubtedly operating for their own private profit, but that does not mean that they are all scoundrels.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Would the Minister make it clear whether these comparative prices refer to identically the same articles, whether purchased through bulk purchase or by a private merchant?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. If the hon. and gallant Member had listened to my reply, he would know that I said that some goods were imported by bulk purchase and others by private enterprise, and that they do not refer to the same fruits.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Will the Minister say whether, in the comparison which he has made, he has taken exactly the same period of time?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Fletcher

Would the Minister also agree that the enormous rises in price are due not to the merchants' profits but to the rise in prices in the markets of origin?

Mr. Strachey

In many cases, that is perfectly true.

Mrs. Middleton

Will the Minister bear in mind that his duty, as Minister of Food, is not to defend wholesalers and retailers who are making huge profits but the housewives, who have to pay the prices to provide food for their families?

Mr. Jennings

Is the Minister not aware that, in order to get a correct perspective on this matter, he ought to state specifically to what fruits he is alluding?

Mr. Strachey

At the risk of boring the House, here are some more examples which I can quote. Apples, which are bulk purchased, increased in price by 135 per cent. Apricots, privately purchased, have increased by 515 per cent. Bananas, bulk purchased, increased by 250 per cent. Grapes, privately purchased, increased by 422 per cent., and so on. I could give many of these examples. It is perfectly true that, in many cases, this is not all due to private importers, and I have never said it was. But the figures are produced to refute the customary and almost diurnal charge of the hon. Member that bulk purchasing is less efficient than private buying.

Mr. Peter Freeman

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any real distinction between healthy competition and big profits for profiteers?

Sir W. Smithers

I have not the list which I supplied by me; will the Minister of Food inform the House whether all the prices mentioned are fruit prices?

Mr. Strachey

In my main answer I said that they were the prices of fruits and vegetables.

Sir W. Smithers

The right hon. Gentleman said that they all referred to fruit.

Mr. Strachey

Seven types of fruit and vegetables were mentioned in my answer. It is written in the text, and the hon. Gentleman will find it in HANSARD.

Mr. W. Fletcher

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies we have received from the Minister of Food, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.