asked the Minister of Food what the subsidy on British cheese will be per pound now that the retail price is being reduced from 1s. 1d. to 10d.; and whether he intends to maintain a retail price which is only about one-third of the cost.

About 1s. 7¼d. per lb. The retail price will continue to be fixed in accordance with the Government's stabilisation policy.

Is not this enormous subsidy quite unnecessary? Could not the entire production of British cheese be sold at the full cost of production to members of the public, who, in the words of the Parliamentary Secretary, have acquired a taste for it, and also a distaste for imported mousetrap cheese?

All food subsidies are unnecessary, in the sense that if we raised food prices sufficiently, we would not have to pay subsidies; but it would be a dangerous thing to do.

Can the Minister say what particular reason there is for reducing the price at this particular moment by this particular figure; and what is the element in the Government policy which has caused this?

It is, as I have said, a part of the general policy of the Government, in so far as is possible, to keep down the price of foodstuffs.

Why is it necessary at this moment to make this particular reduction?

It is difficult to say. Any particular movement at any particular time has to be seen in relation to all the others. I cannot see why the right hon. Gentleman is complaining about a reduction.

Is the reduction related in any way to a reduction of price for imported cheese?

No, Sir.

Is some other article of food being increased by a corresponding amount?

There have been some increases and some decreases. There have been a number of changes.