§ Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Food why champagne is being retailed in this country at 35s. a bottle in view of the fact that the price paid by his Department for champagne imported from France is 14s. a bottle.
§ Sir B. SmithThe c.i.f. cost of the champagne to which the hon. Member refers is 14s. 9d. per bottle. To this cost a further 6s. 6d. is to be added for duty, and the remaining addition of 13s. 9d. represents the margins allowed to importers wholesalers and retailers to cover their expenses and leave a reasonable profit. The champagne in question is being imported by the trade, and not by the Ministry of Food.