§ 66. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why his Department wrote on two occasions to Mr. Sinzay Woo, of Huyton, Liverpool, concerning the price of fish and chips; who requested his Department to take such action; whether he will give a detailed list of complaints made by Members of Parliament to his Department concerning price increases, showing in how many of these cases his Department wrote on two or more occasions to the retailer; and why this was not done on the cases referred to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.
§ Mr. HoyMy Department wrote twice in order to be satisfied that the increases in prices charged at this shop were consistent with the Government's policy on prices. No one requested my Department to take this action; when a price increase which seems to call for an explanation is brought to our attention it is our normal practice to seek one. Often a single letter resolves the issue but sometimes more than one is required. Cases referred to my right hon. Friend by right hon. and hon. Members, including my hon. Friend, are all treated alike.
265WThe other information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of effort.