§ 25. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Food the retail price of coffee immediately prior to decontrol.
§ Mr. JegerDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that there has been a 50 per cent. increase since decontrol?
Dr. HillThere has been an increase; and there has been one in recent months due to a world shortage as a result of the disaster in Brazil last year.
§ Mr. LewisIs not that exactly the kind of answer that we used to get from the previous Government? Were not this Government going to do better?
§ 26. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the intention to increase the price of coffee to 10s. per lb; and whether he will restore control of the price at a more reasonable level.
§ Mr. JegerWould the hon. Gentleman pursue his researches a little further —but not quite as far as the replies that used to be given by the previous Government? Would he go back to the time when the decontrol of coffee was being put forward in this House, and would he recall the words used then, that the price could safely be left to competition and the trade? Would he regard the present terrific increase in price—the continued increases—as being satisfactory evidence of competition and decontrol?
Dr. HillThe recent increase in price is evidence of a serious disaster in Brazil which has resulted in a world shortage of coffee.
§ 29. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement regarding bulk purchase of coffee by his Department.
Dr. HillI have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 8th March and the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 13th May.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that we are very glad to know that he has nothing to add? Would he give us the assurance that he has nothing to add to food prices?
Dr. HillThat comes strangely from the hon. Lady when one recalls what was added to food prices in the last year of her party's Government—18 per cent.