§ LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of 853 Trade whether he has any official information showing that a group of capitalists in America have formed a combination called the Beef Trust to control the beef supply of that country, which has been the subject of official investigation by the United States Senate, that that combination has secured control of four-fifths of the imports of beef into this country, and is now in process of securing, by acquiring the means of retail distribution, the same control of the beef supply here that the Beef Trust has already secured in America; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any, and, if any, what, action in the matter.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am aware of the official report of the United States Commissioner of Corporations (published in 1905) as to the operations of the six firms constituting what is known as the "Beef Trust," and I am also aware that these firms deal with a large proportion of the imports of beef into the United Kingdom. The operations of these firms in regard to the supply of this country are receiving the careful attention of His Majesty's Government.
§ LORD R. CECILDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the facts he has stated constitute a prima facie for an inquiry by a Select Committee?
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo; as at present advised, I have not arrived at that conclusion. The matter, however, is receiving constant attention.
§ MR. C. E. PRICE (Edinburgh, Central)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of meeting the evil effects of this trust, the Government will not take into consideration the advisability of allowing cattle to be imported from countries where there is no cattle disease?
§ MR. CHURCHILLThat is a question of much delicacy, and I fear I could not do justice to it within the limits of an answer.