§ 1. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to issue regulations providing for charges to be made by a local authority for the inspection of meat; or, alternatively, whether he will allow local authorities to adopt by-laws in respect of private slaughterhouses.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Heathcoat Amory)I cannot at present add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 22nd November last.
§ Mr. HyndIs this not a long time to decide what should be a rather simple matter? Regulations can be made now for public abattoirs, and it would seem to be a rather simple matter to allow local authorities to control the hours when slaughter should take place and the charges that can be made.
Mr. AmoryI sympathise with the hon. Member's concern, but I assure him that it is not quite as simple a matter as it looks. One of the factors that has a bearing on the situation is the number of slaughterhouses, on which I am awaiting the report of the committee which is at present dealing with this matter.
§ 5. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the price of 160s. per live cwt. now being paid by butchers for grade A meat compares with a retail price range of from 3s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. per lb. for best quality meat; and if he will reimpose price control in order to reduce these prices.
Mr. AmoryThe present high level of prices for cattle in the auction markets 852 and for home-killed meat in the shops is due, in the main, to the normal seasonal fall in production. To reimpose price control without rationing would merely drive the better quality meat under the counter.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that the Question refers not only to the high prices of home-killed meat but to the disparity between the wholesale and the retail prices? Is he further aware that only a minority of housewives can now buy a decent bit of meat? Will he, if he does not believe in our methods, do something serious by his own methods to start bringing prices down?
Mr. AmoryI believe that the best way of ensuring that prices are reasonable is competition supported by discriminating buying. In this case I think that the consumer sometimes under-estimates the amount of influence which he or she can exert on retail prices. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that there are less popular cuts of home-killed meat avail able at considerably lower prices, and plenty of——
Mr. AmoryA few years ago people had to accept scraggy ends. Today the demand generally centers on better-quality meat, and the scraggy ends are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to dispose of. I would say finally that there is plenty of imported meat available at considerably lower prices.
§ 15. Mr. W. Wellsasked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made regarding the importation of meat from the Argentine during the coming year.
Mr. AmoryBeef and pork will continue to be shipped on Government account until the bulk-purchase quantities are completed. Thereafter all meat will be imported on private account.
§ Mr. WellsWill not the result of these arrangements, both in the short term and in the long term, be a further aggravation of the rise in the cost of living?
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the right hon. Gentleman give some assurance to the House on this matter? Has he not considered whether prices are likely to rise 853 when trade is restored to free competition? Has he any information on the point?
Mr. AmoryYes, Sir. Our view is that the purchase of meat through private channels is likely, in the long term, to be of advantage to the country, and it will provide meat of better quality and better value than if it were done under Government control.
§ Mr. McAddenCan my right hon. Friend give a firm assurance that when these arrangements come into effect, even should there be an increase it; will not be anything like the increase of 60 per cent. in food prices which occurred under the Socialist Government?