MR. HOWARD (Cumberland, Eskdale)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to inquire into the operations of trusts for the supply, price, and distribution of meat in the United Kingdom.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire how far and in what manner the general supply, distribution, and price of meat in the United Kingdom are controlled or affected by any combination of firms or companies. The noble Lord the Member for Marylebone has consented to act as Chairman of the Committee. I have further invited my hon. friends the Member for the Elland Division and the Members for Southampton and Deptford to be members, and I also propose to appoint representatives of the Board of Trade and Board of Agriculture, together with a gentleman possessing expert knowledge of the meat trade. The Board of Agriculture will be represented by Sir Thomas Elliot, K.C.B., the Secretary to the Board.