HC Deb 25 June 1952 vol 502 cc2237-8
41. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Food the total increase borne by the con sumer in rationed and unrationed goods during the past seven months; and the total in each category.

Major Lloyd George

During the past seven months the otal increase in the consumer prices of subsidised rationed and unrationed foods is about 1s. 2d. per head per week, on a ration book basis, made up of 8d. on rationed foods and 6d. on unrationed foods. I would add that the figure of 1s. 2d. includes a substantial part of the increase of 1s. 6d. per head estimated as the cost to the consumer of the subsidy adjustments announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mrs. Mann

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to reply to my Question? I have had a reply in weekly terms, which refers to my Question No. 46. I asked, in Question No. 41, for the total increase. Can I have it?

Major Lloyd George

I do not think that it is a very clear Question. As the hon. Lady has another Question later which asks for the weekly basis, perhaps she would be good enough to wait for that, when I will give her the information she wishes.

Mrs. Mann

I want an answer to Question No. 41. It is most difficult to calculate how much housewives are having to bear in grocers' extra profits, through decontrol. Is it not the case that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman does not know, and that that is why he cannot reply?

Major Lloyd George

If that was the purpose of the hon. Lady's Question I suggest that my answer gives all the information that is necessary to the housewife, which is that the increase per week is Is. 2d. That, I gather, is what she wants to know.