§ 26. Mr. J. R. Bevinsasked the Minister of Food the retail prices of bread, butter, bacon, margarine, cheese and tea at 1st April, 1949, and 1st April, 1951, respectively.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. BevinsCan my right hon. and gallant Friend confirm that during those two years butter went up by 8d. a lb., bacon by 4d. a lb. and cheese by 4d. a lb., and would he be good enough to tell the House to what extent the retail food price index rose during those two years?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI can tell my hon. Friend that in April, 1949, the retail food price index was 108, and in April, 1951, it was 130.
§ Miss BurtonCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give the same figure for April, 1952?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI can tell the hon. Lady that when April, 1952, comes to an end.
§ Mr. Charles DoughtyWill my right hon. and gallant Friend take steps to re-open as soon as possible the free market in tea in London, as there is one in Colombo and one in Calcutta?
§ Following is the information:
§ The retail prices were:
| — | Unit | 1st April 1949 | 1st April 1951 | ||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | ||
| Bread | 1¾ lb. loaf | 4½ | 5½ | ||
| Butter | 1 lb. | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Bacon | 1 lb. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| (average) | (average) | ||||
| Margarine (domestic) | 1 lb. | 9 | 10 | ||
| Cheese | 1 lb. | 10 | 1 | 2 | |
| Tea | 1 lb. | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| (average) | (average) |