HC Deb 21 February 1957 vol 565 c574
17. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the commodities with which he is concerned have had a Suez emergency surcharge placed upon them.

Mr. Amory

A specific and temporary surcharge has been placed on some fish.

Mr. Jeger

In view of the rather strange economic theories which the Minister enunciated last week in suggesting that a 6s. surcharge on fish had no effect whatever on increasing the price, will he try to put a really big surcharge on every type of foodstuff in the hope that it will reduce prices?

Mr. Amory

The hon. Gentleman has not quoted me exactly, but in substance he has quoted me sufficiently accurately. The surcharge that was imposed has, to all intents and purposes, had no effect on prices, for the reason that I gave on the last occasion—that the market price has been substantially above the minimum price, plus the surcharge, and, if the hon. Gentleman examines it, he will find that that is not strange economics.

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