HC Deb 28 July 1908 vol 193 cc1236-7
MR. WATT

I bog to ask the President of the Board of Trade with reference to the appointment of a Departmental Committee to inquire into the prices of meat in this Country, whether he will have a representative from Scotland on that Committee.

MR. CHURCHILL

As I have already stated in reply to questions on this subject, I am reluctant to add to the numbers of the Committee by the appointment of representatives of special interests or views. In those circumstances, especially as the reference to the Committee does not extend to recommendations affecting the conditions of the Importation of Cattle, I do not, as at present advised, think it necessary to include a representative of Scotland among the Members.

*MR. WATT

How many business men are there on the Committee, and if none will he see his way to appoint one?

MR. CHURCHILL

Mr. Weddell, a very distinguished gentleman connected with the meat trade but having no personal interest, has already been appointed.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade in reference to the constitution of the Committee appointed to inquire into the general supply, distribution, and price of meat in the United Kingdom, whether he has taken into consideration the views of the noble Lord the Member for Marylebone on the subject, when asking him to act as chairman of the proposed Committee; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing representatives of agricultural constituencies on the Committee.

MR. CHURCHILL

In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question I have to say that I have considered to the best of my ability all the qualifications of the noble Lord the Member for Marylebone to preside over an inquiry of this character. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, the reference to the Committee does not include inquiry into matters relating to diseases of animals in the United Kingdom or into the conditions of the importation of live cattle from abroad and I do not under the circumstances think it necessary to include in its numbers representatives of agricultural constituencies.