§ 64. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food what is the estimated annual cost calculated at the present rate of the rebate paid to butchers for not selling meat.
§ 78. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Food how much rebate was paid to the butchers in Great Britain when the meat ration was 1s., 10d. and 8d. per week; and what was the basic figure in each case.
§ Mr. WebbThe rebate paid to butchers for the five weeks from 31st December last on the 1s. 0d. ration (including two-pennyworth of canned corned meat) was 2s. 3d. in the £ or about £300,000 a week. From the 4th February the rebate on the 10d. ration (including two-pennyworth of canned corned meat) will be 4s. 0d. in the £ or about £450,000 a week. The ration has never been at 8d. The cost will form part of my Department's trading results and will be borne out of its trading vote. The cost-of-living figures will not be affected, since the retail prices of meat are unchanged.
§ 79. Mr. H. Fraserasked the Minister of Food how much the increase in the rebate being made to butchers to compensate them for loss of trade will cost the Treasury.
§ Mr. WebbThe increase in the rebate to butchers from 2s. 3d. to 4s. in the £ will cost £150,000 a week, while it remains in operation.
§ Mr. Teelingasked the Minister of Food how much the extra subsidy to the butchers will cost; on what Vote will it be placed; and if it will be included in the cost-of-living figures.
§ Mr. WebbI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and Durham, North-West (Mr. Murray).