§ 24. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement giving details of what action his Department have taken during the past twelve months to stabilise and reduce the price of food; and to what extent this has met with success.
Mr. AmoryControl was continued over prices of National bread, milk and potatoes of the 1954 crop. For the rest, 1638 the policy set out in the White Paper on Decontrol of Food and Marketing of Agricultural Produce, published in November, 1953 (Cmd. 8989), has been followed. Food consumption this year is running at a record high level.
§ Mr. LewisWill the Minister answer the Question, particularly the last part, as to what success there has been on the question of prices? I am asking if he will state just how far stabilisation and reduction of prices has taken place. Is he not aware of the fact that he has not mentioned that at all? Prices have been going up and up and have reached the highest level ever in peace or war.
Mr. Amory—I would say that, though many hon. Members offer that as a solution, price controls would be completely ineffective. If supplies were short price control would drive them under the counter. If they were sufficient there would be no purpose in the price controls.
§ Mr. LewisOn a point of order. In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and the fact that the Minister has not attempted to answer the Question, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.