§ Mr. Emeryasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that as a result of the control of prices, the cost to local authorities controlling hospitals for the supply of meat has almost doubled; and whether, in view of this causing an increased call upon the ratepayers, lower prices for such meat supplies can be arranged?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am certainly not aware that the cost of meat to local authorities controlling hospitals has almost doubled as a result of control. The present maximum retail prices and the prescribed wholesale prices for home-killed meat are at approximately the same level as those ruling prior to the introduction of control on 15th January. Prices for imported meat which have been controlled since shortly after the outbreak of war were raised on 15th January to bring them into harmony with home-killed prices.