LIVING COSTS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27592, 24 February 1955, Page 14

LIVING COSTS IN BRITAIN

Debate On Meat And

Tea Prices (N.Z. Press Association—Copvr*M) (Rec. 8 p,m.) LONDON, February a. The House of Commons spent half an hour yesterday wrangling about ft, high cost of living, coupled with demands by Labour members ter tfe reimposition of controls onthvMfe, of meat and for Government aettofi la bring down the price of tea. Replying to a series M about meat prices, the Midst* M Food (Mr Heathcoat Amory) said eg the present high prices for eattte to auction markets and for hOM-kflU meat in shops was caused in the awn by the normal seasonal fall in prod*ti< To reimpose price control witbitt rationing would merely drive fee better-quality meat under the contter. “I believe the best way to enure prices are reasonable is competition, supported by discriminating buying I think consumers sometimes underestimate the influence they can earcise on retail prices.” The Minister then faced many questions on the price of tea. He said that neither price control nor a Government inquiry would help the situation. “I believe the public is in general not dissatisfied with the position regarding tea. The present price is due to the relatively strong demand against the Supply available. “When this balance gets corrected the price will come down.”