§ 1. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliatary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state the quantity of tea 2150 in bond, the import prices, and the amount of withdrawals during the last twelve months; why China tea is prohibited from being imported into the country; if he can state the reasons why the Food Controller is allowing the present price of tea to be charged, namely, 2s. 6d. and 2s. 8d. per lb.; if he has decided to fix the selling price of tea in April at 2s. 2d.; and if he can see his way clear to have non-interested men set up with a view to dealing fairly between the producer and the consumer?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)The quantity of tea in bond on the 1st March, 1917, was 93,624,000 lbs. It appears that the average prices realised by importers at tea auctions during the four weeks ending 3rd March was, for Indian tea, 1s. 3d. to 1s. 4d. a lb., and for Ceylon tea, 1s. 3¼d. to 1s. 5⅛d. a lb. The amount of tea withdrawn from bond during the year ending 28th February, 1917, was 383,372,647 lbs. The importation of China and other foreign teas was prohibited with the object of economising tonnage. As has already been announced, the arrangement for a lower selling price of tea will come into force on the 1st May. It was necessary to allow an interval in which dealers might clear their present stocks bought at higher prices. The Food Controller stands for the interests of the consumer, and allows no trade considerations to prevail unfairly or unduly against such interests.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that there was speculating and profiteering on the tea market, inasmuch as the Food Controller has given till the 1st of May to unload at the high price?
Captain BATHURSTI have no certain knowledge of any undue speculation in tea, but at any rate the Food Controller is now taking steps to put a stop to any possibility of it.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the hon. Gentleman say why the public should not get the immediate benefit of the 2s. 2d. tea, and why the large tea dealers who speculate and raise the price 3d. and 4d. a pound should get till the 1st of May to unload?
Captain BATHURSTThere are certainly a large number of persons who are not speculators who have bought tea at a high price, and it is only fair to allow them to get rid of stocks.
§ Mr. FLAVINMeanwhile the poor people have to pay!
Captain BATHURSTYes, Sir; the possibility of speculation has had a vigilant eye kept upon it ever since the Food Controller took up his duties.