19. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in spite of his public assurances that there is no shortage of supply, he is aware that market prices of meat have in some cases more than doubled during August, making compliance with the published official retail prices ruinous to retailers; whether this has already led to the closing of many butchers' shops and caused distress, and also made it impossible to carry out contracts with Poor Law Unions; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to the exactions of the meat ring?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOn the information at present available to me, I am unable to accept the statements in the question as in accordance with the facts. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars in support of his statement, I shall certainly have them examined.