Mr. McCurdy, the Food Controller, told the House of Commons
on Thursday week that America, Australia, and Argentina would have less wheat to export this year, and that the price was likely to rise and to affect other commodities. Sugar would be scarce because America was consuming more while Germany was producing less. Butter also would be scarce ; the imports
• would be only half as large as in 1913, and Ireland WAS not expected to produce so much as before. Mr. McCurdy said that his staff was gradually being disbanded, and that its total cost at present was a halfpenny a week to every householder. The Ministry would continue to watch prices and costs, and to buy wheat, sugar, and butter. Mr. McCurdy stated that while British food prices were 135 per cent. higher than before the war, food prices in France were 220 per cent. higher and in Italy 306 per cent. higher.
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