§ 18. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Food how far butchers in the Birmingham area have responded to his scheme for voluntary display of price labels on meat.
§ 19. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Food what results were obtained in the Midlands and, in particular, in Coventry from the survey covering the proposal that butchers should use price tickets.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIn the Midland area as a whole, price tickets were displayed on meat in some 38 per cent. of the butchers' shops visited. For Birmingham and Coventry the figures were about 33 per cent. and 54 per cent., respectively.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs the Minister satisfied with that response to the voluntary scheme, and what is he going to do about the butchers who virtually refuse to carry it out?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere has been a remarkable improvement in the period of a month. The first survey was taken in December, 1952, and at that time the figures were 20 per cent. for Birmingham and 30 per cent. for Coventry. A second survey took place a month later, and I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that the increase in Coventry from 30 per cent. to 54 per cent. is remarkable.
§ Miss BurtonI am very glad that there is an increase in the number of price tickets shown in Coventry, but could the 824 Minister go further in securing that the remainder of the butchers show them, because many housewives complain about this? With regard to the last part of his answer, is it not true that, when the Government cited the cost of living as remaining steady, they excepted food prices from that statement?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe have made it perfectly plain. We have given the figures as they are with regard to the cost of living, and the all-items index includes the cost of food.