§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the approaching adoption of lower tariffs in America in respect of meat, wheat, and flour, and of resulting higher prices in Great Britain, and in view of the far larger purchases in future by the United States of meat from Argentina and Australasia, His Majesty's Government proposes to take any steps to counteract the effects of a further rise in the cost of living following upon the increases already experienced as the result of recent legislation?
Mr. BUXTONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The earlier part of it is hypothetical, and with regard to the latter part I am not prepared to admit that the recent increase in the cost of living has resulted in any degree from legislation in this country. On the contrary, it has been world-wide, and in most commercial countries it has exceeded the rise in the United Kingdom.