§ 58. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to reduce the price of those foodstuffs under his control.
Dr. HillThe policy of Her Majesty's Government is to eliminate controls and rationing as soon as practicable. We believe that by efficient private trading and effective competition, the best interests of the consumer will be served in respect of quantity, quality and price.
§ 59. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Food the retail price of the principal items of food for which his Department is responsible at the nearest convenient date, and the comparable figures for 1951.
Dr. HillThe only satisfactory measure of general changes in food prices is provided by the Interim Index of Prices. Between the revision of the Index at the end of 1951 and August, 1953, the food section rose by 12 per cent.