HC Deb 29 November 1956 vol 561 cc560-2
22 and 23. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (1) in view of the Suez crisis, if he will take powers to prevent increases in the price of bread or other foodstuffs;

(2) if he will take powers to prevent the hoarding of those foodstuffs which will be in short supply as a result of the Suez crisis.

25. Mr. Parkin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now take steps to control and reduce the wholesale price of flour and the retail price of bread.

26. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the foods we import will be affected in price as a consequence of the closing of the Suez Canal to shipping.

32. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent increases in the price of tea, he will reintroduce price control.

Mr. Amory

There will be no shortage of food as a result of the closing of the Suez Canal, and there is no reason to expect that food prices in general will be seriously affected. I have no intention of taking special powers to control either supplies or prices.

Mrs. Mann

Is the Minister aware that that is a very ambiguous reply? Can we have a definite assurance that food prices will not rise, and that increases will not be held over until the Christmas Recess, when the House is not sitting?

Mr. Amory

I think that if the hon. Lady studies my Answer she will find that it is quite a positive and definite statement of what I expect to happen.

Mr. Parkin

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the situation as regards the price of bread and flour reflects no credit on his Department and certainly was not one of the aims in front of him when he personally came into politics? Will he bear in mind that he is still the Minister of Food as well as the Minister of Agriculture? In view of the other burdens which the people of this country are asked to bear, will he accept this as a personal challenge to his ability and his courage?

Mr. Amory

I think I can assure the hon. Member that I accept my responsibilities as Minister of Food as very serious responsibilities indeed. I do not feel at all ashamed of the manner in which I have carried them out so far.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Would my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.]—Would my right hon. Friend—[interruption.] Keep quiet. Would my right hon. Friend assure the House that whatever happens he will not have to institute bread rationing, as was done by the Lobby fodder opposite?

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Willey.

Mr. Willey

rose—

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Speaker

Let us have the question of the hon. Member of Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey), and then we may have an answer.

Mr. Willey

Does not the right hon. Gentleman regard it as quite unjustifiable to put up the price of bread by withdrawing food subsidies? With regard to tea, surely he is aware that we have had previous experience of the consumer being exploited by the tea trade? Prices are already going up, and in these circumstances does he not accept the obligation to ensure that the housewife is not exploited again?

Mr. Amory

In reply to the first part of that supplementary question, I have already said that in the present circumstances of this country it is quite impossible to justify the continuance of the general food subsidies for the benefit of every single person, regardless of his or her means. In reply to the second part of the question, I do not think there is anything unreasonable in the present price of tea.

Mrs. Mann

I did not get an answer to my Question No. 23 regarding hoarding.

Mr. Amory

I know of no tendency to hoard food at present, and I can see no reason for it because I do not think there has ever been a time when food supplies have been more ample and more varied than at present.

Mrs. Mann

Will the Minister take this warning—that hoarding has already started, not because there is fear of shortage, but because there is fear of a steep increase in prices? Will he therefore try to introduce a standstill order for prices for goods coming round the Cape?

Mr. Amory

I have already stated that I can see no reason for any steep rises in food prices in general.

Mr. Baldwin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is not likely to be such a shortage of food as there was when hon. Members opposite gave up office five years ago, and when the meat ration for the consumer was 1s. 7d. per week?