§ 21. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Food the total sum expended on food subsidies in the year 1952–53.
§ Mr. BeswickDoes not that mean that there will be a cut in food subsidies in the current year of £112 million? Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the Chancellor indicated in his speech that the cut would be of the order of £30 million?
Dr. HillWe must make a distinction between the rate at which the subsidy is running and the actual subsidy for the whole year. This is the actual subsidy for the whole year, owing to a slower application of increased prices than was originally intended. I am sure the hon. Member is in no way dismayed that the figure for subsidy for the past year was higher than was earlier estimated.
§ Mr. BeswickThat is the total actual expenditure, and the total amount allocated this year by the Chancellor is £220 million, which means that there will be a cut of £112 million. Can the Parliamentary Secretary explain the discrepancy between that figure and the figure given by the Chancellor?
Dr. HillThere is no discrepancy. At the end of the year subsidies—disregarding egg and cereal decontrol—were running at rather more than £250 million. That is the rate at the end of the year, not the total amount of the subsidy for the year, which is relevant to the Question.