§ 44. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that during the month of November, 13½ million rations, and during the month of December 14½ million rations, were not taken 1644 up, he will reduce the retail price of cheese.
§ The Minister of Food (Major Lloyd George)No, Sir. The public are eating about 40 per cent. more cheese of this type than they did before the war.
§ Mr. WilleyOf course they have been eating more cheese for a very long time, in spite of what the right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite have said. Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise how illogical he is? He is increasing the subsidy on eggs because they are not being taken up, but he is increasing the price of cheese although a very large proportion of the cheese is not being taken up?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgePeople are not taking up their full entitlement because they have all they need. It is a fact that 40 per cent. more is being eaten of this type of cheese alone. There are, in addition, other cheeses outside the ration, and here again consumption has increased enormously. I think the hon. Member has probably forgotten that about 1¼ million people in this country are each entitled to 12 ozs. of cheese. There is some evidence that they do not take it all up.
§ Mr. NabarroDo not the new Members seeking to take their seats demonstrate the satisfaction of the consuming public with my right hon. and gallant Friend's policy?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not arise from this Question.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think we had too much cheese under a Labour Government, because we had far more then than we have now.