§ Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the price of butter in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has now risen to 5s. per 1b.; and if he will take steps to control the price of this and similar essential foods.
§ Mr. GodberIt is true that the retail price of butter both in Newcastle and over the country generally has been rising until very recently. This has been due to a combination of circumstances among which the drought in Northern Europe has been mainly responsible. Present indications, however, are that prices have passed their peak and are already showing a tendency to decline owing to increased quantities arriving from Australia and New Zealand. Price control would certainly not help and might only have the effect of discouraging further supplies from overseas.