HC Deb 16 March 1916 vol 80 cc2285-6W
Mr. W. THORNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what process his investigators have arrived at the increases of meat prices recorded in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" for February; whether, when it was recorded that ribs and flanks of imported beef had only risen, respectively, 53 and 71 per cent. compared with July, 1914, a misstatement had arisen; whether he is aware that during July, 1914, middle pieces of chilled beef were purchaseable at Smithfield at 2s. 6d. and 2s. 8d. per stone, while during February the average price was from 5s. to 5s. 4d., and chilled flanks purchaseable at 1s. 8d. per stone in July, 1914, were now from 3s. 8d. to 4s. 2d., and retail prices had advanced in greater proportion still; that New Zealand wethers at 2s. 6d. and 2s. 8d. had risen to 5s. 6d. and 5s. 8d., and ewes from 2s. 2d. to 5s. 2d., River Plate sheep from 2s. 3d. to 5s. 4d.; Australian lambs from 3s. 6d. to 5s. l0d.; frozen hinds from 2s. 8d. to 5s., and frozen fores from 2s. 2d. to 4s.; and, while the home-killed meat consumed by the middle and upper classes had risen 30 per cent. in price, the average rise in meat prices to the poor was well over 100 per cent. compared with July, 1914?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The increases in retail meat prices recorded in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" are based upon personal inquiries at a large number of retail shops carrying on a working-class trade. The percentage increases quoted by the hon. Member are the averages for large towns, and they appear to be correct. There has been a general tendency for the advance in price to be greater with the cheapest kinds of meat and less with the best cuts. Two factors bearing on this matter are the small supplies of frozen meat now available for general consumption, owing to military requirements, and the increased demand for cheaper cuts on the part of purchasers desiring to mitigate the effects of the rise in prices. The Board of Trade are, of course, fully informed as to the wholesale market prices at Smith-field.