Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Food whether, as a result of the decontrol of bacon, American bacon is now being purchased wholesale at 115s. per cwt., a drop in price of no less than 953W 84s. 6d. per cwt., or 9d. per lb., with a corresponding drop in prices for Wiltshire and other hams and bacons; and will he see that the consumer who has paid the high prices made necessary by Government control now gets the full benefit of its removal?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am unable to reconcile the figures given with any known facts. The bulk of the American bacon now being sold by the Ministry reaches the wholesalers at an average net price of approximately 115s. per cwt. I am not aware that forward purchases on the free market are being made at a lower figure than this. Control is being terminated in the belief that the restoration of competing sources of supply will afford sufficient protection to the consumer, who has certainly under Government control paid less on the whole for bacon than would have been the case under a free market.
§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the Minister of Food whether we have very large quantities of bacon in storage in America that was bought nine months ago, has not yet been shipped, and is largely unfit for human consumption?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17th February to the hon. Member for East Renfrew (Mr. Johnstone).