Higher Prices For Britain's Food

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 8

Higher Prices For Britain's Food

(Rec. 3 p.m.)

LONDON, Mar. 7

Out of the £49,340,000 supplementary vote which the House of Commons granted the Ministry of Food, £48,500.000 was needed to make up losses brought about by the increase in acquisition prices. This was revealed by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Food (Dr Edith Summerskill).

Mr J. S. Reid (C.) emphasised that of £30,000,000 lost in meat purchases. £23,000,000 v/as attributed to the unfavourable Argentine contract.

Mr C. Osborne (C.) asked to what extent the loss of £6,000,000 on bacon and ham was due to a new Danish contract. He inquired why the number of hogs obtained from Canada during the last three years had dropped 50 per cent. Dr Summerskill replied that Britain had paid the Argentine £7,000,000 to cover the sum which "we felt we owed them” in view of the costs of meat production. The Argentine Government had explained that the meat cost them a little more.

Dr Summerskill added that she had no intention of prejudicing Britain’s relations with Argentine by commenting on this action. She pointed out that British meat producers had got £16.000,000 more than estimated.