§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps designed to ensure that a price nearer to the price to farmers for prime home-grown beef per lb. of 33–34p is available to the British housewife, instead of prices in excess of lOOp per lb. which she now has to pay.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe Price Commission's action in notifying a 10 per cent, cut in the gross profit margins of food distributors should be a useful contribution to reducing the disparity between producer and retail prices. This disparity covers such matters as the inevitable wastage in preparing carcases for retail sale, and labour, transport and other costs. I cannot accept, however, that the hon. Member's figures are representative of retail beef prices. The Price Commission includes meat prices in its regular monitoring of fresh food prices and this shows a wide range of prices for beef. For example, on 25th April the average price for rump steak was just under 91p per lb. and for the cheapest cut, brisket, just over 31p per lb.