§ 69. Mr. WINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received a protest and resolution from the Silksworth Vigilance Committee against the prices charged for foodstuffs and other necessaries of life, which it regards as a serious addition to the burdens already imposed by the War; whether he is aware that the Committee is of the opinion that the excessive prices are largely due to profiteering, speculation, and middlemen, and suggest that the Food Controller take over all imported foodstuffs in order to ensure their equitable distribution and at such prices as may be considered reasonable under the special circumstances of the War; and, if so, what steps does the Food Controller propose to take with the above object in view?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)The communications referred to have been received. The Food Controller proposes to exercise further control over the imports of essential foodstuffs, but I am not in a position to make a definite statement.