§ 26. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigation he has made into the gap that exists between food prices paid to producers and the retail price paid by the housewife; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartSuch investigations are best made commodity by commodity and linked with a consideration of possible reforms in the structure of marketing. The improvement of the structure of marketing is one of my main priorities. As the House knows, I have proposals for improving meat marketing which are now being discussed with the interests concerned; and I have instituted an inquiry into certain aspects of the structure of milk distribution.
Bread and flour prices have, of course, been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.