asked the Minister of Food whether he will reduce the price of meat to enable people to take up their full rations.

Dr. Hill:

No, Sir. They are doing it already.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, in introducing his Budget a little while ago, the Conservative Prime Minister of New Zealand said that in their chief market, the United Kingdom, there had already been some resistance to higher retail meat prices, a considerable number of people not having taken up their full—

I do not think the Minister is responsible for what the Prime Minister of New Zealand says.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, I was putting that quotation as a preface to my question to the Minister.

The hon. Member could put his question shortly without preamble.

I am sorry that I considered my preamble necessary, Mr. Speaker, but I should like to put a supplementary question, namely, in view of the fact that it is recognised by one of our principal suppliers in New Zealand that the high price prevents people in this country from taking up their full meat ration, why will the Minister not reconsider his decision and reduce the price so that the poorer sections of the population can get their meat?

Dr. Hill:

My answer, without preamble, is that practically the whole of the meat ration is being taken up today.