§ 34. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the present increases in the retail prices of meat, he will institute an inquiry into the levels of profit margins in order to provide guidance on the desirability of the imposition of price controls.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his Department is asking the taxpayer for a further £16½ million towards the deficiency payment, while, at the very same time, the retail price of meat has gone up by between 4d. and 6d.a pound? Does he not agree that this merits inquiry and that we ought to know where the money is going?
Dr. HillIt is a complicated matter.—[HON. MEMBERS: "Supply and demand."]—The hon. Gentleman quoted the retail price, but I want to add that distribution costs, with better trimming and better presentation, with the free choice available to the consumer today, are higher than under the "take-it-or-leave-it" system which the public were glad to see the back of.
§ Mr. E. JohnsonCan my hon. Friend say if there has been any increase in the consumption of meat since the former Government were in power?