§ 19. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Food what have been the weekly sales of home-cured cooked ham since it has been unrationed; what were the sales of imported tinned ham during the same period last year; what is the price of home-cured ham; and what was the price of the imported product.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeRecords of retail sales of home-produced cooked gammon and ham are not maintained. About 2,000 tons a week of gammon and ham of a net weight of about 1,300 tons have been delivered to the trade since 5th October for sale by retail, cooked, boneless and sliced at 8s. per lb. An average of 1,200 tons a week of canned ham and shoulder was imported in the same period last year when the retail price of canned ham was about 11s. per lb.
§ Mr. CrouchDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the satisfaction that his reply will give throughout the country, and that this is further proof of the conscientious way in which he discharges the duties of his important office?
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes the Minister realise that since uncooked gammon went up from 5s. 9d. a lb. under his Administration—
§ Mr. BaldwinIt was 7s. 6d, under the hon. Gentleman's Administration.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWhy cannot the Minister keep his own supporters properly informed? It is sheer ignorance to say that it was 7s. 6d. a lb. The hon. Member ought to know what he is talking about. Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the only reason why the sale of boiled cooked gammon has gone up is because millions of people cannot afford to buy uncooked gammon at 5s. 9d. a lb. now, and this enables those people with plenty of money to buy all the cooked ham that should have been going to ordinary people in their rations?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Gentleman seems to be saying that people cannot afford it at 4s. 9d., but they can at 8s.