Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Food whether the price of a cup of coffee in certain London restaurants has been increased from a pre-War price of 2d. to 3½d.; whether coffee cost in 1914 98s. per cwt., in April, 1920, 150s. per cwt., and in the first week of October 111s. per cwt.; and, if so, how can the rise in price to the consumer be justified?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The wholesale prices of a good average quality of coffee would be approximately those mentioned by the hon. Member at the various dates set out in the question, but I understand that the grounds put forward for the increase in the charge for a cup of coffee are higher establishment charges. If the increase on these grounds is regarded as unreasonable, the remedy lies in proceedings under the Profiteering Act.