HC Deb 21 December 1938 vol 342 cc2898-9W
Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Labour what were, on 1st November, 1938, the principal retail prices of English and imported food, respectively, compared with those prevailing on 1st November, 1937, and 1st November, 1929?

Mr. E. Brown

The following statement shows the average retail prices of food, at the three dates specified, as calculated from the returns collected for the purpose of the official cost of living index number. As regards articles of food the supplies of which are in part imported, separate

Article. 1st Nov., 1938. 1st Nov., 1937. 1st Nov., 1929.
s. d. s. d. s. d.
Beef, British—Ribs per lb. 1 1 1
Beef British—Thin Flank per lb.
Beef, Chilled or Frozen—Ribs per lb. 10¾
Beef Chilled or Frozen—Thin Flank per lb. 5 5
Mutton, British—Legs per lb. 1 1 1 6
Mutton, Frozen—Breast per lb. 10
Mutton, Frozen—Legs per lb. 10½ 10½ 11½
Mutton Frozen—Breast per lb. 4
Bacon (Streaky)* per lb. 1 1 1
Flour per 7-lb. 1 1 1
Bread per 4-lb. 9
Tea per lb. 2 2 2
Sugar (granulated) per lb.
Milk per quart 7 7
Butter—Fresh per lb. 1 1 2
Butter—Salt per lb. 1 1 2
Cheese† per lb. 10¾ 11 1
Margarine per lb.
Eggs (Fresh) each
Potatoes per 7-lbs.
*In some localities where streaky bacon is rarely bought by working-class households, the returns quote the prices of another cut, more locally representative.
† The prices quoted are in most cases for Canadian or New Zealand cheese, but in some districts the returns quote the prices of another kind locally representative.