HC Deb 25 May 1943 vol 389 cc1411-2W
Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give figures showing the changes in the retail prices of the basic foodstuffs since the beginning of the war?

Mr. Mabane

According to the statement appearing in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for April, 1943, the changes between 1st September, 1939, and 1st April, 1943, in the retail prices of the foods included in the cost of living index, which comprise the majority of the basic foodstuffs consumed in this country, were as follow:

Percentage Increase (unless otherwise shown).Per cent
Beef British—
Ribs 11
Thin Flank 27
Beef Chilled or Frozen—
Ribs 35
Thin Flank 23
Mutton British—
Legs 13
Breast 8
Mutton Frozen—
Legs 16
Breast
Bacon 50
Fish 32
Flour 26
Bread 9
Tea 21
Sugar (granulated) 1 (decrease)
Milk 32
Butter—
Fresh 21
Salt 31
Cheese 30
Margarine—
Special 12
Standard 12
Eggs (fresh) 1
Potatoes 5

On the basis of the above figures the average level of retail food prices at 1st April, 1943 was nearly 20 per cent. higher than at the beginning of September, 1939.