HC Deb 25 May 1966 vol 729 cc459-63
34. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the increased prices now being asked of wholesale fruiterers and greengrocers by certain merchants in Covent Garden as a result of the present seamen's, strike; and what action he proposes to take to maintain a steady supply of produce at reasonable prices.

Mr. Pearl

Prices for some fruits and vegetables in Covent Garden, as in other wholesale markets, rose on the first day of the strike for a number of reasons, including a certain amount of panic buying. Prices are now generally steadier—indeed some are lower than before the strike—and trade representatives have assured me that they will do all they can to maintain them at a reasonable level.

Mr. Thorpe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the representations which he made to merchants in Covent Garden have been well received by consumers generally? Will he give an undertaking that he will continue to keep the matter under review, and that if profiteering once again appears to be the order of the day, he will bring all possible pressure to bear?

Mr. Peart

Certainly, Sir. I am sure that having the voluntary co-operation of the trade provides an essential leadership. So far this has worked. We must watch it daily.

Mr. Skinwell

In view of the serious allegations made in the House the other day about stockpiling by wholesalers at the docks, can my right hon. Friend make any statement, and does he contemplate any action?

Mr. Peart

I took action immediately. One of my officers made an investigation there, and found that there was no evidence of stockpiling. On the Canary Wharf there were no tomatoes or apples. They had been removed. There was no stockpiling of onions, and it was the same with potatoes. I replied to that effect to the hon. Member who made the allegation. I appeal to hon. Members to be responsible about these matters.

Mr. Godber

We on the Conservative side would like to endorse what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the need for responsibility and the fact that responsibility has been shown. We were very glad to hear what the Minister had to say on the last point.

41. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the increases in food prices immediately consequent on the seamen's strike, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to introduce a measure of price control.

43. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the wholesale price of New Zealand lamb was increased by up to 3d. per pound on 17th May and that other foodstuffs have also increased in price; and if he will introduce leglisation to control food prices.

Mr. Peart

I would refer my hon. Friends to the Prime Minister's statement on Monday. Voluntary co-operation has so far worked well and we wish to rely on that as far as possible.

Mr. Hamilton

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence that prices are increasing? If he has not, will he consult a representative housewife, who will give him the information? Is it not a fact that meat prices have been going up steadily, particularly since the seamen's strike, and can he say whether there is any justification for that or not?

Mr. Peart

It is not quite so. As I indicated earlier, prices of some commodities have fallen. There are fluctuations for other reasons. There is no sign that pepole are using the strike as a means of exploiting the public. If this occurred, we should have to consider what action to take. However, I believe that by means of voluntary co-operation we have achieved tremendous good and stability.

Mr. Murray

My right hon. Friend appears to be wrong in fact in saying that there is no exploitation over the strike. I have had representations from butchers in my constituency who state that wholesalers issued price lists on Saturday, 14th May, and then cancelled them by telephone on 17th May, increasing prices by 3d. per lb. at least.

Mr. Peart

If my hon. Friend has any particular complaint, I wish that he would let me know. I would welcome it and investigate it as I did the accusation of stockpiling. New Zealand lamb was mentioned in Question No. 43. It was he same price on 17th May as on 16th May and 1d. a pound more than on the preceding Thursday, 12th May. It was 1½d. less than the average of May, 1965.

Earl of Dalkeith

If the right hon. Gentleman has to use his powers of price freezing, will he distinguish between those prices which have gone up as the result of the seamen's strike and those going up in any case as a result of the Government's incompetent handling of the economy, which is causing the inflationary spiral?

Mr. Peart

That supplementary question is not worthy of the hon. Gentleman. Much of it is purely hypothetical.

42. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute an inquiry into the reasons for increased food prices since 16th May.

Mr. Peart

After the first day of the strike food prices have been very stable. Indeed, some are lower now than before the strike began.

I have already had discussions with the leaders of various sectors of the food industry, who have readily associated themselves with the Government's intention not to allow this situation to be exploited for excessive personal profit. No purpose would be served by a further inquiry.

Mr. Hamilton

What additional administrative machinery has my right hon. Friend established since the onset of the strike? Does he intend to keep it for the duration of the strike? What investigation did he make into the charges made by my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo) on a certain situation in the docks last week?

Mr. Peart

I have already replied to the accusation made by my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo) and have refuted it. I made a careful inquiry and there was no evidence of the stockpiling alleged. We, have not introduced as yet anything to deal with statutory control because, in the present circumstances, it is better to try and achieve success by voluntary co-operation.

Sir C. Osborne

May we take it that the Minister's Answers repudiate the accusations, made from the Liberal benches and across the Floor of the House, that there has been profiteering?

May we take it that there is no statistical evidence for the allegation?

Mr. Peart

I have not heard any accusation of wholesale profiteering.

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