§ 1. Mr. WINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if Australian and New Zealand beef and mutton is landed at London Docks at 6d. and 9d. per 1b.; and, if so, will he say who gets the difference between the above price and current charges?
§ Colonel GIBBSI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Poplar on 18th June by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade setting out the terms on which the meat in question is brought to this country and placed on the market.
§ Mr. WINGThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the latter part of my question. The answer given on the date he 676 mentions gives no idea who gets the difference between price at which it is sold by the Department and the price at which it is sold to the public.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is obviously no use asking supplementary questions of the hon. and gallant Member, who is only replying on behalf of the office, pending the vacancy being filled.
§ 2. Mr. WINGasked if the present prices of meat are on account of the Government Departments lifting artificially prices in the interests of the home producers of meat?
§ Colonel GIBBSI am not able to make any statement on this matter at the moment.