§ 40. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of price increases over a large amount of groceries, he will now re-impose control on each of them.
Dr. HillNo, Sir. The prices of uncontrolled groceries have been affected by increased costs, particularly of wages, transport and packaging materials. Price control would not serve to eliminate such increases.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the orders which he has piloted through this House recently have resulted in the release of controls in the great majority of cases, and since these increases now amount to 31 items and represent about 4s. per week, has he informed the Chancellor that the increase of unsubsidised items amounts to more than the increase of 1s. 6d. about which we have heard?
Dr. HillAs the hon. Lady's initial statement at the beginning of her supplementary was inaccurate, the rest does not arise.
§ Mrs. MannOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the whole set-up of the Food Ministry, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment and in every other place I can think of.