§ LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the allegations made by responsible persons that the beef supply of this country is controlled by foreign capitalists, he will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the whole Question.
§ MR. ASQUITHI am not aware of the names of the responsible persons to whom the noble Lord refers. As at present advised, and without in any degree underrating the importance of the matter to which the noble Lord calls my attention, I am disposed to doubt whether an inquiry such as he suggests would be productive of useful results. I would suggest that in the first instance the noble Lord and others who may be in possession of information as to the control of our beef supply should communicate with the Departments concerned.
§ LORD R. CECILWhich Departments?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Board of Agriculture and the Board of Trade.