§ 44. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the increase of £640 million in increased food prices in 1951 compared with 1954 represents in terms of the expenditure of a family with three children; and what is the estimated increase for 1955.
§ 14. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the extra £180 million expended on food in the year 1954 was spent by those in the higher income group; and whether he will publish a table of figures showing the estimated expenditure of this sum in income groups.
§ Mr. SpeakerNo, the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) was not present and did not ask Question No. 14.
Mr. AmoryI apologise, Mr. Speaker. I assume that the figures quoted refer to the estimates I gave to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) on 5th December. I regret that it is not possible to apportion between income or family groups either the £180 million which represents the increase in volume of food between 1951 and 1954, or the £640 million which represents the increase in
Mr. ArmoryI can give the factual information, but I would prefer my right hon. Friend to give the reasons, because he has the primary responsibility. In answer to the purely factual question, the answer is that the demand does seem to have decreased over the whole country.
§ The following is the information:
§ price. No comparable estimates for 1955 are yet available.
§ Mr. WilleyIs not the right hon. Gentleman's reluctance to reply to those Questions and his evasive reply due to the fact that he is thoroughly ashamed of the way in which the Government have deceived the electorate with promises to reduce the cost of living?