§ 69. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food how much extra food subsidy will be incurred by the recently-announced reduction in price of bacon, butter and cheese at a time when the Government are 2038 having to pay more for these commodities; and what is the present approximate total cost of food subsidies.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)The additional subsidies which it is estimated will be incurred during the financial year 1947–48 are: Bacon, £6¼ million; butter, £4 million; cheese, £6½ million; In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 7th July.
§ Mr. OsborneAre those figures relative to the recent changes in these three commodities, and is there any check placed on the Ministry of Food by the Treasury as to how high these subsidies can go in total?
§ Dr. SummerskillAs I think the House has been told on many occasions, these figures are in accordance with the Government's policy of stabilising the prices of food in this country.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonWould it be possible for the hon. Lady to give an answer to the last part of the Question?
§ Dr. SummerskillI would remind hon. Members that the answer—which was given only yesterday—is £392 million.