§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, following the recent announcement of a special allowance of sugar to housewives for jam preserving, the retail prices of red currants in London rose from 5d. to 9d. per lb., and of black currants from 10d. to 1s. 2d. per lb.; and will he take steps to stop this profiteering?
§ Mr. BoothbyI have no evidence to show that the present high prices of red and black currants are to be attributed to the special allowance of sugar for household jam-making, or to any other cause than shortage of supplies due to the exceptionally prolonged dry weather, which has had the same effect on supplies and prices of other soft fruit crops.