§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the concern felt by housewives and those on small and fixed incomes at the continual rise in the cost of living and at the facts that prices have risen more during the last quarter than for the whole of 1963, that vegetable prices have risen by 5 per cent., and that egg, cheese, and milk prices have risen by nearly 4 per cent.; and whether he will arrange to speak on television to explain Her Majesty's Government's proposals regarding food prices.
§ Mr. MaudlingAs regards the price of foods, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave the hon. Member yesterday. As regards prices generally, the Government is naturally concerned about the upward trend in the cost of living. But the solution cannot depend on the Government alone.