§ 15. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that white pepper imported at 4s. a lb. is sold to the public at 1s. an ounce and, as this represents a profit of 300 per cent., if he will impose price control on this commodity.
Mr. AmoryI understand that good quality white pepper can be bought at prices ranging from 6d. to 8d. an ounce. I do not propose to reintroduce price control.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that the price of good quality white pepper ranges from 9d. to 1s. 1d., which gives an average price of 11d., and that if the shopkeepers charge 6d. an ounce, that gives them a profit of 50 per cent. on top of processing costs? Is he not therefore prepared to condemn the very high prices charged?
Mr. AmoryI still stick to the figures I gave, namely, that white pepper is obtainable between 6d. and 8d. an ounce. If the hon. Lady is not satisfied with her supplier, I hope she will exercise her option and change her supplier. May I further add that I think the hon. Lady has forgotten the cost of milling and refining.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonIs not the answer to all this trouble about the use of white pepper to shop at the "Co-op"?