§ MR. RUNCIMAN (Dewsbury)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what are the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on the Supply of Food and Raw Materials in time of war; and whether these terms cover an inquiry into the supply of raw cotton in time of peace.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR Manchester, E.)The terms of 1502 reference to the Royal Commission on the Supply of Food and Raw Materials were, "To inquire into the conditions affecting the importation of food and raw material into Great Britain and Ireland and into the amount of the reserve of such supplies existing at any given period, and to advise whether it is desirable to adopt; any means in addition to the maintenance of a strong Fleet by which such supplies shall be better secured and violent fluctuations avoided."
§ MR. RUNCIMANWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether those terms cover an inquiry into the supply of raw cotton in time of peace.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; it is not for me to interpret the reference to the Commission. The Commission itself must do that.