§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Loyn's tea has been recently increased in price from 2s. to 2s. 4d. per pound; whether he is also aware that the wrapper around the 4-oz. packet of tea, which is weighed in as tea and paid for at the price of tea, weighs well over ¼oz.; and whether some immediate action will be taken to safeguard the public against profiteering speculations in teas, and also against the system of selling paper weighed in as tea seeing that paper is over 600 per cent. cheaper than tea?
Captain BATHURSTI presume that this question refers to Messrs. Lyons' tea. I am informed that that firm have not sold any tea at the rate of 2s. per lb. within the last twelve months. The weight of the wrapper of the 4-oz. packet is approximately ¼ oz. The packet bears an announcement that its weight, inclusive of the wrapper, is 4 ozs. As I stated on Monday, the Food Controller is conferring with representatives of the tea trade on the steps to be taken to prevent unjustifiable increase of prices.