§ Major CHURCHasked the Minister of Labour the comparative cost to the retail consumer of wheat bread of similar quality in Great Britain, Germany, and France; whether the officially regulated prices in different districts in France refer to the retail prices in shops; and what relation the cost of wheat bread bears to the average weekly wage of industrial workers in the three countries respectively?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe average retail prices of white bread in selected towns in Great Britain, Germany and France, according to the latest figures published by the International Labour Office, which relate to July, 1929, were equivalent to 8¼d., 1s. 5d., and 7¼d. respectively, per 4 lbs. The figures are defined as relating to prices of white bread, but there is no further indication of the precise qualities to which they severally relate. I have no information as to the extent to which the official prices of bread in different districts in France are the prices actually charged in the shops there. I am unable to state the relation which the price of wheat bread bears to the average weekly wages of industrial workers in the three countries, as the wages information available is not adequate for the purpose.