§ 6. Sir WALTER ESSEXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had his attention drawn to the increase of tea prices by the gambling of certain persons operating in the London tea market; and whether he is taking, or will speedily take, such action as may be necessary to protect the public against such practices?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I have been making careful inquiries into the matter referred to by my hon. Friend, with a view to determining what action may be appropriate in the circumstances. I hope to complete those inquiries very shortly.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman see any reason to believe that there has been any withholding of supplies?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would rather express no opinion upon it at the present time, but if there has been any withholding of foodstuffs we shall exercise the powers we possess.
§ 9. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a case in the Lambeth Court in which a milk retailer, who sells milk at 6d. per quart, stated that the price at which he sold milk was fixed by the Dairy Farmers' Association; that the association had asked him to advance the price a penny per quart, and that under the terms of his contract he had no option except to do so; and whether he has yet been able to adopt any policy by which the price of milk can be kept at a more normal level?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy attention had not previously been called to this case. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me some further particulars as to date, etc. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained on Thursday last, a policy which would make milk production less profitable than the production of meat might endanger the milk supply.