HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1509-10
48. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the fact that the price of tea was raised when, and because, our stocks were low, he will take steps to introduce price control and reduce prices now that the stocks are abnormally high.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) and the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann) on 21st February last.

Mr. Awbery

In view of the Government's profound belief in the inexorable law of supply and demand, which put the price of tea up by 8d. a lb. six months ago because not much tea was available, will the hon. Gentleman tell us what the Government are going to do now, when supplies are much more plentiful but the price has not gone down?

Mr. Nicholls

The hon. Member, unfortunately, decided upon his supplementary question before reading the afternoon editions of the newspapers. He will find that in thousands of shops tomorrow tea prices will be slashed by 8d. a lb. The price will then be the lowest since the autumn. This shows the wisdom of the Government's policy.

Mr. H. Morrison

Even so, can the hon. Gentleman say what will have been the increase in the price of tea since the Government took office?

Mr. Nicholls

The experience of the last four months shows clearly that the price of tea in this country has been kept below the world price, and that is a proof that the free market in tea has been successful.

Mr. Morrison

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the question? He knows the answer quite well. What has been the increase in the price of tea since the Government took office, when they promised that it would not go up?

Mr. Nicholls

If the right hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will answer it, but to be completely up to date, the present trend is a very satisfactory one.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that his suggestion that someone from this side of the House should put down a Question is irrelevant? It would be someone from the Government side of the House who would put down a Question.

Captain Waterhouse

Will my hon. Friend at the same time make a statement about the quantity of tea which is now available?