§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Food what reply he has received from the meat trade to his letter drawing attention to the disadvantages of averaging out the prices of home-killed and imported meat.
Mr. AmoryThe letter did not call for a reply, but I am glad to say it has received a great deal of publicity and there are indications that many traders are co-operating by adjusting prices.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the right hon. Gentleman say what these indications boil down to? Is it not a fact that the retail price of imported meat has been excessive, and to what extent has the Ministerial letter resulted in any fall in the retail price of imported meat?
Mr. AmoryThe latest information I have is up to 22nd March, and up to that time it showed that there have been falls in the retail price of frozen meat varying between 4d. a 1b. on the better cuts to 1d. a 1b. on the cheaper qualities.