§ 71. Sir N. GRIFFITHSasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that oil cake has recently been contracted forward from the mills at £10 per ton, and is now being retailed at prices ranging from £22 to £28 per ton; whether he will state what becomes of the intermediate profit in transactions; and if he will state the present cost of such oil cake ex works?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Food Controller has no knowledge of any such sales of oil cake as those to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. Certain quantities of palm kernel cake and rape cake have been sold at low prices, but farmers are for the most part unwilling to purchase these varieties, and prefer linseed and cotton-seed cake, the respective prices for which are about £25 and £19–£20 per ton, ex mill.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that this extraordinary increase in the price of oilcake is largely due to the confining of the sales of palm kernels to a ring of manufacturers in this country?
§ Sir N. GRIFFITHSIs there any intention of taking control off these goods—oil-cakes in particular?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have no information as to the matter to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel Wedgwood) refers. If he will give me any particulars. I will inquire into them, and I will inquire into the matter to which the hon. and gallant. Gentleman (Sir N. Griffiths) refers.
§ 72. Sir N. GRIFFITHSasked the Food Controller what steps he proposes to take to reduce the present high price of oil cake, seeing that the abnormal cost of this essential winter foodstuff for cattle is one of the main causes of the prevailing high price of milk?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe present maximum prices for oil cakes are fixed in accordance with the prices in the countries of origin of the seeds from which they are manufactured. The Food Controller is aware of the influence of these prices oil the cost of production of milk, but is satisfied that they are at the lowest possible level in the existing world conditions of supply.