asked the Minister of Food the price of butter in June, 1951, and June, 1954.

2s. 6d.; and from 3s. 8d. to 4s. 2d. per lb.

We have just had a reply that butter was 2s. 6d. a lb. in 1951, and that it is now costing from 3s. 8d. to 4s. 2d. a lb. Surely that gives the lie to all that hon. Members opposite have been saying about there being no increases. Are we to take it that when butter goes from 2s. 6d. a lb. to 4s. 2d. it is a reduction?

But that is an element in the cost-of-living index.