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21.
Mr. Lee
asked the Minister of Food the respective prices of a number of basic foods in 1921 and at the present time.
Mr. Strachey
The Ministry of Labour Food Index, based on prices in July, 1914, as 100, touched a high point of 291 in November, 1920. This compares with 162 at present. Here are some examples of individual prices:
RETAIL PRICES (TO NEAREST ¼d.) (Per lb. unless otherwise stated). | ||||
— | 1st November, 1920. | 31st May, 1947. | ||
s. | d. | s. | d. | |
Beef: | ||||
British— | ||||
Ribs | 2 | 0¾ | 1 | 3¾ |
Thin Flank | 1 | 5¾ | 9¾ | |
Chilled or Frozen— | ||||
Ribs | 1 | 3¾ | 1 | 1 |
Thin Flank | 9¾ | 6 | ||
Mutton: | ||||
British— | ||||
Legs | 2 | 3¼ | 1 | 5½ |
Breast | 1 | 6¼ | 8 | |
Frozen— | ||||
Legs | 1 | 3½ | 1 | 0 |
Breast | 7 | 4 | ||
Bacon | 2 | 9¾ | 1 | 6½ |
Flour (per 6 lbs.) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Bread (per 3½ lbs.) | — | 9 | ||
(per 4 lbs.) | 1 | 4 | — | |
Tea | 2 | 9 | 2 | 10 |
Sugar (granulated) | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Milk (per quart) | 9¾ | 9 | ||
Potatoes (per 7 lbs.) | 11¾ | 8½ | ||
Margarine | 1 | l¾ | 9 | |
Special | ||||
5 | ||||
Standard | ||||
Butter: | ||||
Fresh | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
Salt | ||||
Cheese | 1 | 9 | 10 | |
Eggs: | ||||
Fresh (per dozen) | 5 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
large | ||||
1 | 6 | |||
small | ||||
Ministry of Labour Index of retail Food Prices: | ||||
July, 1914 % 100 | 291 | 162 (at 1st May, 1947). |