§ 15. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the cost of living rose another point last month, that this was largely due to rising food prices, that last week the price of vegetables and fruit rose, and that bread is due to increase in price; and whether, in view of the inflation now confronting the country and as an attempt to prevent further increases, he will now introduce price control on all basic foods for a trial period of twelve months.
Mr. AmoryI accept that price increases of food over the last month or two have been mainly responsible for the rise in the Retail Price Index. This is mainly due to the combined effect of seasonal factors and of the drought. I am not aware that bread is due to rise in price. The answer to the last part of the Question is: No, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Minister aware that the Government were elected on their declared promise to reduce the price of food, to reduce the cost of living and to make the £ worth something again? If he will not accept the suggestion contained in the Question, can he give us some positive ideas about what the Government intend to do to implement those promises, or at least to restore food prices to their pre-October, 1951 level?
Mr. AmoryI think the country much prefers the food situation obtaining today to that which obtained in the autumn of 1951.
§ Mr. WilleyAs increased food prices have been largely responsible for pushing 12 us off the plateau, will not the Minister give a better answer than that?
§ Mr. NabarroHas not the principal inflationary impetus been given by the recent increase in the price of coal, the thirtieth since nationalisation, with all the consequential increases on other nationalised industries, on manufactures, and on wages?
§ Mr. SpeakerI understand that we are to have a debate on the subject this week.