§ 21. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Food the reasons for the increase of price of corned beef from 3s. to 4s. per 1b; and why this announcement of 1s. per 1b. increase was not made to the House.
Dr. HillThis canned meat is being released for sale off the ration and in such circumstances I see no reason for 860 subsidy. It has never been the practice to announce all such changes in the House.
§ Mr. LewisAre we to take it now that when this distribution is made through the retailers, in addition to the butchers, those who have got more money will be able to afford as much corned beef as they want?
Dr. HillCorned beef is now being distributed outside the ration. When within the ration it was subsidised, but it is not to be subsidised outside the ration. There is no good reason for subsidising this form of canned meat in competition with other forms of canned meat which are selling unrationed and unsubsidised today.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the corned meat going to be more edible than the ration of fresh meat which is now being distributed?