§ 106. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would have been the approximate cost to the taxpayer this financial year had all subsidised food been pegged at 1950 prices; and what has been the approximate cost of food subsidies this year.
Mr. AmoryIt is estimated that the additional cost to the taxpayer might have168W been of the order of £1,000 million without allowing, for the changed pattern of supply, improvement of quality, or the increased consumption likely at 1950 prices. The cost of the agriculture and food subsidies in 1956–57, including welfare foods, is expected to amount to £317 million.