asked the Minister of Food if he can now give the food items with increases affected by the Budget.

I cannot add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Lady on this subject on 24th March.

One commodity at least was mentioned in the announcement made earlier by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman. Can he say whether the ½d. per week extra which he has announced is arrived at by comparing the highest prices with the lowest? If the highest price is 4s. 8d., and the lowest 3s. 8d., how does he arrive at a ½d. per week extra?

The average price is 3s. 8d., as I said in my answer to the last Question, and, as I pointed out, the actual increase on the lower-priced teas will be ½d. per weekly ration.

Is that on 2 oz.?

On 2 oz.

What will be the increase on the better grades of tea?

One can, of course, buy teas at very high prices. What will be happening is that those who are paying the higher prices for tea will be subsidising those who are paying the lower prices.