§ 25. Mr. Doddsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much consumers' expenditure on food has increased in 1955 over 1951; how much is represented by an increase in the volume of consumption; how much is due to the increase in prices; and the prospects for 1956.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Henry Brooke)My right hon. Friend has as yet nothing to add to the reply he gave to the hon. Member on 30th January, when figures were given for the first nine months of 1955. Estimates of food expenditure in 1955, both in actual value and in volume, will be given in the Economic Survey to be published at the end of this month. It is not possible to express in any precise terms the prospects for 1956 since so much depends not only on imports of food but on the crops and harvests of home agriculture this year.
§ Mr. DoddsAs I can appreciate the deep humiliation of the Government in regard to their failure in this respect, I have not the heart to ask the right hon. Gentleman an unkind supplementary question.
§ Mr. BrookeThere is no humiliation on my part. The Answer to the hon. Member's previous question showed that consumption of food had risen by 7 per cent. in 1955.
§ Mr. OsborneWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the agricultural workers who produce this food are entitled to a decent wage, and that the only way they can be paid a decent wage is for a proper price to be paid for the food which they produce?