HC Deb 14 March 1955 vol 538 cc948-9
47. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the recommendations of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which have been sent to him, about tea prices; and whether he will institute an inquiry along the lines suggested by the Confederation, and take steps to stabilise prices at a reasonable level.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)

My right hon. Friend has received no communication from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions about tea prices, but the hon. Member was good enough to send me a note of their recommendations. As to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Warbey) on 21st February.

Mr. Willey

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is not good enough and that by recent events he has been thoroughly shown up? Action ought to have been taken about tea long ago. It is not too late to recant. Will the Minister seriously look at this problem and see that the housewife is protected and that at the same time we get stability in the tea trade?

Dr. Hill

Recent events, which show that the price of tea at auction has fallen by 1s. 2d. in Calcutta and 1s. 8d. in London, that retail prices have fallen by between 4d. and 8d. per lb. and that the anticipated price increases have been dropped, seem to suggest that the consumer has done more than price control could ever do.

Mr. Braine

As the recommendations of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions refer to the wages of plantation workers,can my hon. Friend say how the wages of plantation workers in India and Ceylon today compare with pre-war rates?

Dr. Hill

In India, the average daily rates are nearly three and a half times what they were pre-war, and in Ceylon four times the pre-war rates.

Mr. Willey

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that before the recent price increases a few weeks ago, the daily rates in Ceylon were the same as at the time of decontrol?

Dr. Hill

I have given the figure for the daily rates. If they are compared with 1947, in India they are twice the 1947 rates and in Ceylon one and a half times.

Mr. Callaghan

Does that mean that the Parliamentary Secretary is telling the housewives that the price of tea will settle down at around 7s. per lb.?

Dr. Hill

It means nothing of the sort.