§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (, &c.) Kirkcaldyasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government see their way to any steps to remedy the excessive difference between the price of fish brought to shore cheap and sold to the consumer very dear; or whether they will propose to add to the Local Government Bill provisions giving to the London County Council and the greater Municipal Councils powers of local legislation sufficient to deal with markets and monopolies and the sources of dear fish, bad gas, insufficient water, and other evils of that kind?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The hon. Member asks me whether the Government see their way to take any steps to remedy the excessive difference between the price of fish brought to shore cheap and sold to the consumer very dear. I should have said myself that that is, undoubtedly, an opportunity for private enterprize, which the hon. Gentleman might endeavour to stimulate himself. There is evidently a vast field for those who desired to benefit themselves and to benefit their countrymen. Then the hon. Member asks the Government to add to the Local Government Bill provisions giving to the greater Municipal Councils powers of local legislation. I think that the right time to 562 discuss that question is when we arrive at the Local Government Bill itself; and if the hon. Gentleman desires to improve that measure the Government will be very glad of his assistance.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLgave Notice that he would put on the Paper an Amendment giving power to these Councils to deal with these and other monopolies.