HC Deb 21 February 1957 vol 565 cc580-1
25. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what change has been shown by his Department's food survey in the consumption of butter since the recent fall in price.

Mr. Amory

The latest available results of the National Food Survey relate to the latter part of 1956, whereas the fall in butter prices has occurred mainly since the beginning of 1957. It is therefore too early to assess what recent change in consumption, if any, may have taken place.

Mr. Hurd

Has my right hon. Friend any present-day judgment about total supplies and what the prospects are for the next months? Shall we have a continuing increase in supplies of butter?

Mr. Amory

I think that supplies of butter will be ample in the next few months.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Does the Minister expect the consumption of butter to increase after what we heard from the Chancellor of the Exchequer earlier this week?

Mr. Amory

I have every hope that the consumption per head of butter will steadily increase so long as prices remain at anything like their present level.