§ 27. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Food whether in view of the present emergency and the considerable discrepancies in the prices currently charged by different greengrocers for vegetables, he proposes to re-impose price control to prevent the shortage being exploited.
§ Mr. StracheyThe present high prices for vegetables are mainly due to the severe weather conditions, so I should be 10th to reimpose price control because of this temporary factor. On the whole, I am glad that variations in price between shop and shop are arising since this shows that competition is at work again in the trade. On the other hand, I shall watch prices closely when supplies become more ample again, and if they do not go down substantially I shall have either to reimpose control or take other effective methods.
§ Mr. WalkdenHad not my right hon. Friend received reports from various parts of the country, long before the snow or the blizzard came, that prices of certain vegetables, which he decontrolled, mistakenly, in my opinion, many weeks ago, had gone up 20 to 25 per cent.?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. that would only be true of Brussels sprouts.
§ Mr. WalkdenAnd swedes and cabbages.