HC Deb 23 May 1957 vol 570 cc1378-80
25. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the price of meat has been increased from 5 to 7½ per cent., and sugar Id. to 2d. more per pound since the Suez crisis; and if he will now take steps to have these increases removed.

Mr. Godber

While I cannot accept the hon. Lady's figures, any increases which have occurred in food prices have been offset by reductions in the prices of other foods so that the index of retail food prices in March was at about the same level as in October. My right hon. Friend does not consider that any action on his part is required.

Mrs. Mann

Am I to take it that when there was a direct opportunity to reduce the cost of living hon. Gentlemen opposite were content to keep it as it was by allowing increases to offset certain reductions? Would that have pleased the Conservative women's conference yesterday?

Mr. Godber

Without going into the matter concerning the Conservative women's conference—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—because it does not arise on the Question—I would tell the hon. Lady that in my view, and in the view of the Government, it is right to leave these matters to private enterprise. One then gets interplay, and competition arises. Many other foodstuffs have come down in price as a direct result of competition during the period referred to.

Mr. Willey

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that he has a responsibility in respect of the surcharge on sugar? When will he announce that the surcharge is to be removed?

Mr. Godber

The matter of the surcharge is perhaps a little outside the terms of the Question, but I would point out that when the Sugar Act was being dealt with by the House it was amended at the instance of hon. Members opposite to provide that a period of six months ahead should be clearly seen before any alterations were made. The subject is very much in my right hon. Friend's mind, and no doubt before long we may be in a position to make a statement.

Dame Irene Ward

I agree that it would be a good thing if all prices went down at the same time instead of there being fluctuations, but will my hon. Friend explain to the Opposition that the Conservative women's conference does not want food controls?

26. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the latest and third decrease of 9s. per sack in the cost of flour, he will take steps now to reduce and control the price of bread.

Mr. Godber

No, Sir.

Mrs. Mann

Is it not incredible that, after all the decreases in the price of flour, I should be given the "brush-off" when I ask for a reduction in the price of bread? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that instead of the Conservative ladies being taken to the Terrace for tea, they should have been brought up to the Public Gallery to hear the "brush-off" that we are constantly given when we ask for a reduction?

Mr. Godber

I am sure that the Conservative ladies would have approved of the Answer which I have given the hon. Lady, because I am sure that they believe, as I do, that it is not right to reimpose price control.

Mr. Willey

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that there is some evidence of monopolistic tendencies in the industry, and that for that reason there is a responsibility on the Government to have an inquiry and to reduce prices by order?

Mr. Godber

Bread is one of the very first items to come before the Restrictive Practices Court. I think it is best to leave the matter there.

Captain Pilkington

If the price of bread is to be controlled, will it involve rationing, as was the case under the Socialist Administration?