§ 16. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Food whether he will reimpose controls on the retail price of coffee.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir.
§ Mr. JannerWhy not? Comparing the highest price of coffee now with the highest price before controls were removed, does not the Minister think that something could be done to allow people to purchase their commodities at reasonable prices?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Gentleman must not lose his sense of proportion in this matter. The amount of coffee drunk in this country is 1lb. per head of the population per annum. It may be that the consumption of coffee has fallen because of the decontrol of tea. Whether we had control or not the price would have had to go up, because the price of coffee in Brazil, for instance, rose between 1952 and 1954 by over £6 10s. cwt. Whether hon. Members like it or not, they must realise that if people want this commodity they have to pay the price for it.