§ 42. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Food if he will issue a Christmas bonus of an increased butter ration
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisIf the Minister is anticipating the derationing of butter early next year, surely he must have stocks in hand. If he has, why cannot he give a little extra butter to the housewife at the controlled price, which she can afford, because next year housewives will not be able to afford to have any butter at all?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not see the point of giving them a bonus this year. The policy I have pursued ever since I have been in office has been not to give bonuses but to maintain the ration at high as possible, and this we have succeeded in doing. The last bonus that was given at Christmas was in commodities most of which are now in ample supply owing to derationing.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister aware that the best bonus he could give to the housewife would be in the form of a reduction in food prices? Is there any case on record yet of the price of food going down as a result of decontrol?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI could give a very good list and should be happy to send it to the hon. and gallant Member. A surprising number of items of food have come down in price.