asked the Minister of Food the retail price of bacon and the retail price of any specified cuts in November, 1951; what are the corresponding prices obtaining today; and what were the highest corresponding prices between these two dates.

Dr. Hill:

The average retail price of bacon was 2s. 7d. per lb. in November, 1951, and is now 3s. 8½d. per lb. From October, 1952, until August, 1953, the average retail price was 4s. 0¾d. per lb.

As the rest of the answer contains a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister not think it is a pretty sharp practice by the party opposite to talk about bringing down the price of bacon when they were the first to put it up so much that even now it is a great deal higher than it was when we left office?

asked the Minister of Food how much it now costs to obtain the same amount of meat obtainable in 1948 for 1s. 2d.

Dr. Hill:

About 2s. 2d.

Is not the increase from 1s. 2d. to 2s. 2d. serious, and does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that, if there is to be a further increase following derationing, the only meat which many people in the lower income groups will be able to get will be the scrag end? Will the Minister do something about it?

Dr. Hill:

Although the hon. Member's Question implies that the ration of meat was 1s. 2d. in 1948, it was, in fact, 1s. 2d. for only a fortnight of that year, and in the other 50 weeks it was between 6d. and 13.

asked the Minister of Food the prices of butter,

Dr. Hill:

The hon. Lady will recollect that of the average increase of 1s. 1½d., 10d. was necessary at the end of 1951 in order to reduce the subsidies to the level fixed by the party opposite.

Following is the information:

margarine, cooking fat, cheese, bacon and bread, at October, 1951, levels with comparative figures for January, 1954.

Dr. Hill:

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the information: