HC Deb 22 May 1950 vol 475 c1629
14. Mr. Albert Evans

asked the Minis-of Food the fair retail prices, calculated on his Department's normal margins for distribution, of all perishable foods, including fruit and vegtables.

Mr. F. Willey

I am afraid I could not usefully define fair retail prices for those perishable foods which are not subject to price control, since a fair price must depend in each case on quality, time of year, locality, and other factors.

Mr. Evans

Is it not possible for my hon. Friend to give the consumer some guidance about these prices? The consumer is under the impression that speculation and profiteering is taking place in certain scarce vegetables and fruit——

Mr. Blackburn

Quite right.

Mr. Evans

Would it not be possible for the Parliamentary Secretary to give the consumer some general guidance so that he can take action against profiteering?

Mr. Willey

I have explained the difficulties in following that advice and have said that this matter is under review by the Department.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether his right hon. Friend the Minister bore those admirable conditions in mind before he made his recent speech about cauliflowers?

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Will the hon. Gentleman also agree that fair retail prices depend to a considerable extent upon the cost to the producer?

Back to