HL Deb 18 December 1946 vol 144 c1130

5.33 p.m.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing on the Order Paper in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, on the basis of the latest contracts for purchases at home and overseas, what would be the approximate cost of subsidies in a full year on (a) foodstuffs, and (b) other goods.]

LORD AMMON

My Lords, the actual cost of these subsidies over a given period depends partly on the trend of contract prices, and partly on variations in stocks. Any estimate of future annual cost on the basis of the contract prices ruling at a particular moment would, therefore, not have any practical significance and also might prove misleading. The figures of subsidy for the current financial year for food and other goods are respectively £369,000,000 and £22,000,000.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his answer, which of course If can only regard as very unsatisfactory because it is precisely the same answer as was given in another place two months ago. I find it very encouraging to think that obviously certain reductions of prices of contracts must take place—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: Order, order.

LORD HAWKE

I thank the noble Lord, and I regret that he has not been able to give me the full answer for which I had hoped.

LORD AMMON

I am sorry that I cannot follow the noble Lord in disorder.