§ 7. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many hotels, though admitting their intention to charge more in Coronation week, are refusing to say how much extra they are going to demand because they do not know what will be asked of them by food suppliers; and what action is contemplated to prevent undue rise in food prices at this time.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeTo the first part the answer is "No, Sir"; and to the second, "No undue rise is expected."
§ Miss BurtonI cannot think where the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has been. Is he aware that I will give him the names of the hotels, and may I ask him whether he is also aware that these hotels have made bookings to their customers on condition that they will accept any increase in tariffs, and that they say that these increased tariffs will be due to the fact that food prices will go sky high next year? Would he agree that that sort of thing should be stopped?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere is no justification for saying that food prices will go sky high. The hon. Lady has no justification whatever for saying anything of the sort. As there is a great deal of competition amongst the suppliers of food, I just do not understand what those people are talking about.