§ Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the steep rise in the retail selling price of green vegetables, fresh spring produce for salads and rhubarb, all of which are uncontrolled; and whether, in view of the regular demand for each of these foodstuffs, he will include them in the new list of maximum control prices orders?
§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that cabbages and sprouts, sold before the war at 1d. and 2d. per pound, are now 9d. and 10d. per pound; and will he take steps to reduce these prices?
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Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that the retail prices of certain green vegetables have increased. These increases are mainly accounted for by the prolonged period of frost, which caused serious damage to crops. The season for most winter green vegetables is nearly over, and it is not intended, therefore, to introduce price control for these vegetables at this stage. Supplies of salad crops are still very limited, but prices of tomatoes, cucumbers and green onions are already controlled. As supplies have become more plentiful, the price of rhubarb has declined, and I see no reason to introduce price control for this crop at the present time.