§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the reduction which has taken place since June in the price of live hogs in Chicago, he can state if and when it is proposed to reduce the price at which bacon may be sold in this country; and whether he can state the profits now being made in this connection by the Department?
Mr. ROBERTSIt is my intention to reduce the maximum retail price of bacon in this country at the first possible moment that the cost, including the loss on exchange, enables me to do so. Bacon is at1324W present being sold by my Department at a loss, because when control was resumed on 9th August wholesale prices were reduced in order to maintain the existing retail prices, and because the bacon coming forward in America since the fall in hog prices which followed the reimposition of control is not yet available for distribution in this country.