HC Deb 21 February 1955 vol 537 c880
45. Mr. Crouch

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what percentage of butter used by his Department is home-produced; what percentage is Empire-produced; and what percentage is foreign.

Mr. W. Steward

The butter used is 100 per cent. Empire.

Mr. Crouch

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that ample supplies of pure homemade English butter are available, made by the Milk Marketing Board and Southwestern Dairies, Sherborne, to mention but two sources, at prices only 2d. per lb. retail above that of Danish butter? Why can we not have all-English butter served in this House? In view of the hon. Gentleman's statement that there are 80 pats of butter to the lb., how can that possibly affect the price charged to hon. Members?

Mr. Steward

I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that Empire butter is 4d. per lb. cheaper than home-produced butter. However, I will submit his observations to the members of the Committee at their next meeting.