Flour Confectionery

HC Deb 25 June 1956 vol 555 cc17-8

26. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to him regarding increased prices for flour confectionery; and whether he will take steps, now, to stabilise the price, size and weight of tea bread, scones, rolls, and all flour confectionery.

Mr. Amory

I have received no representations about flour confectionery prices, and I am satisfied that in this industry competition is the best safeguard for the housewife. It is impracticable to control the size and weight of flour confectionery.

Mrs. Mann

Has the Minister not observed on his shopping expeditions that prices have gone up 25 per cent. and that in other cases the weight has gone down? Is not the latter in itself a concealed price increase? Is he not aware that the evidence is all contained in the Report of the Hodgson Committee?

Mr. Amory

I have noticed on my shopping expeditions that there seems to be a good deal of evidence of intense competition in this field. I would remind the hon. Lady that in wartime, when control was imposed on flour confectionery, it was found that, owing to the difficulty of effecting standardisation, the control was very cumbersome and difficult to enforce. It would be a great deal more so now.

28. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent proposed alterations in price and quality of bread will affect flour confectionery, including scones, rolls, teabread, and cakes.

Mr. Amory

There is no reason why the price or quality of flour confectionery should be affected by the decontrol of bread in September.

Mrs. Mann

Is the Minister aware that I do not consider that to be an adequate reply at all? Is he aware that I am asking for an assurance that there will not be increases due to the withdrawal of subsidy? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to rely entirely on competition? Is he aware that he is selling the plateau of stability down the river, like Trinidad oil?

Mr. Amory

I cannot agree with the hon. Lady. I am going to rely in this field on the forces of competition.