§ 39. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the up-to-date figures of the cost of providing an adequate diet for representative groups of the community.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend cannot give figures for the cost of an adequate diet, because this covers a number of requirements, including palatability, flavour, variety, and ease of preparation, on which the demands and preferences of consumers differ considerably. But he would expect a diet designed merely to supply known nutrient requirements to cost less than is actually spent by any group in the community. The range of actual household expenditure on food per head, according to the National Food Survey, in 1956 was from 28 17s. 6d. per head per week in the largest families, with four or more children, to 37s. 11d. for adult couples under 55. The average was 27s. 4d. in England and Wales and 27s. in Scotland.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonWould the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to look at this matter again in view of the report published by the British Medical Association in June, 1933, which exposed a general lack of adequate diets among various categories of people in this country? Surely, a similar report could be produced bringing the information up to date and then we should have a sociological index which would, I am sure, demonstrate that a good many old people and some larger families are living at rather low levels of nutrition?
§ Mr. GodberI will examine that matter, but I think we have adequate information at the present time. I do not agree that a large number of people are living below the level of nutrition. The hon. Member mentioned older people. The figure for old-age pensioners is 24s. 9d. a week and compares not unfavourably with a number of other groups.
§ Mr. WilleyAs there have been one or two surveys on old-age pensioners which are very disturbing, will the Parliamentary Secretary look again at this and see whether he can get the figures up to date?
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend is concerned to try to speed up the figures, but it is a complicated matter and unless we keep them accurate they are of no value. It takes some time to work them out.
Mr. GriffithsWill the hon. Gentleman's Department consider carefully the disclosures contained in the recent reports about Sunderland and Salford, which are of great importance?
§ Mr. GodberI will gladly give that assurance.