§ 66. Mr. Hurdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the increase in farm produce prices, consequent on the fixing of higher farm wage rates, is to be borne by his Department on the food subsidies account; if there has also been an increase in the cost of imported food supplies; and if he will give a revised estimate of the annual cost of food subsidies on home supplies and imports.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, since I am continuing to hold retail prices steady in accordance with the terms of my Budget Speech. The cost of imported food supplies has fallen since my Budget estimate, owing to enforced reductions in quantity. The revised estimate of the cost of food subsidies in this financial year is now £334 million, an increase of £16 million over my Budget estimate. Of this total, £191 million is for Home supplies and £143 million for imported supplies.