§ Mr. CLARRYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the average price per pound, figures, during March, 1924, for tea, coffee, cocoa and sugar; and the precisely comparative figures for these articles during July, 1924?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI have been asked to reply. The averages of the retail prices at 1st March, 1924, and at 1st July, 1924 (the latest date for which information has been obtained), shown by the returns collected by the Ministry of Labour were as stated below:
1st March. 1st July. Per lb. Per lb. s. d. s. d. Tea 2 6½ 2 2¾ Sugar (granulated) 7¼ 4¾ Coffee (loose) 2 2½ 2 1½ Cocoa (loose) 1 1½ 1 0½ The returns received relate to the cash prices of those grades of each commodity 2775W most generally purchased by working-class families. The average prices quoted for cocoa are exclusive of proprietary brands, sold by the tin at higher prices, but such information as is available indicates that the prices of these brands have also been reduced in many cases. Information relating to prices at 1st August is now being collected.