HC Deb 25 February 1889 vol 333 cc266-8
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury if Her Majesty's Government had yet taken any steps to ascertain whether the great Salt Trust Company were or were not within the law in seeking to establish a combination monopoly of salt, and so to raise the price of that article; whether the large movements now in progress to raise the price of many articles of consumption by means of combinations for that purpose had received the attention of Her Majesty's Government; and whether they proposed to take any steps in the matter?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

The hon. Member may be in possession of information which the Government have not had before them. We are advised that there is nothing in the facts brought to the notice of the Government to bring the Salt Trust Company within the reach of the law. The Government have no sympathy, and, indeed, are strongly averse to the establishment of such monopolies as that which it is proposed to effect. I think, however, that the hon. Member may console himself with what I believe to be the fact, that there is absolutely no record of such a combination to raise the price of articles of consumption succeeds ing in the long run. There may be a temporary rise in the price of the article, but directly the pressure is felt fresh sources of supply are at once opened up, or new and economical methods of production, and such competition comes very rapidly in aid of the reduction or price which often falls to a figure lower than the articles previously obtained This applies especially to salt, the sources of the supply of which are practically unlimited.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

I shall take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to this subject, and of moving an Address to Her Majesty that the same principles with respect to combination may be applied to the rich as are now applied to the poor.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I wish to ask whether the British Government has combined with other Governments in order to raise the price of sugar?

MR. W. H. SMITH

There is no foundation for that statement.

MR. BRADLAUGH

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the attention of the Law Officers of the Crown has been drawn to a case in Lord Kenyon's Reports, in which the Lord Chief Justice treated a combination to raise the price of an article as a criminal offence?

MR. W. H. SMITH

So far as the information laid before the Government is concerned, they have come to the conclusion that there is no case for their interference. If the hon. Member is in possession of any information which would enable us to form a different judgment we would be exceedingly glad to receive it.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

Have the Government instructed their Law Officers to look into the matter?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I have already stated that, so far as the information received goes, we are advised there is no ground upon which they could proceed against these parties. The Government would be glad if the hon. Member could furnish them with any further information in his possession.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

I ask whether any inquiry has been made into the matter; and whether the Government have sought to obtain information?

MR. W. H. SMITH

We took all the steps in our power when the matter was referred to us, and we cannot find that there is any legal authority for interfering. The hon. Member may rely on competition to bring down the price of the article, and to effect a great and general reduction. It is impossible for any combination of this kind to last.

SIR LYON PLAYFAIR (Leeds, S.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can assure the House that the "legislative provision" in regard to the sugar bounties will be of such a kind as will enable the House to consider the whole policy for the Conven- Tion into which Her Majesty has entered for the suppression of bounties?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

I have no hesitation in assuring the right hon. Member that any legislative provision in regard to the sugar bounties which the Government may bring before the House will afford full opportunity for the consideration of the whole policy of the Convention.