§ 95. Sir W. SEAGERasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that an attempt is being made by the co-operative societies through their representatives in New Zealnd to secure the whole of the output of cheese and butter in that country; whether, in view of the fact that at certain periods of the year New Zealand is the chief source of supply of cheese for Home consumption, and as the output there is calculated to be at about 60,000 tons of cheese and 18,000 tons of butter, and forms an important part of the supplies of this country, it is in the public interest that any one trading concern should have the monopoly; and 647 whether he proposes that in the national interest the Government should take such action as is practicable to secure to the consumer that these articles of essential food are not allowed to be in the hands of any one trading organisation for distribution?
§ The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)I recognise the importance of this matter, and would refer the hon. Member to the answers already given on this subject on the 16th and 21st June to the hon. Members for Sevenoaks and Ealing respectively. I would reiterate that if any attempt is made to exploit the consumer, either in the case of cheese or any other commodity, I shall not hesitate to employ any powers entrusted to me by Parliament.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill that only apply to the co-operative societies?
§ 98. Sir J. REMNANTasked the Minister of Food what was the total cost of the Government's control of butter, including subsidy, for the last year of its existence?
§ Mr. McCURDYThere has been no subsidy for butter, and no loss has been sustained in respect of butter sales. The charge for administration included in the selling price was approximately ½ of 1 per cent. This expenditure was in respect of headquarters staff engaged in the purchase, financing, importation, storage, inspection, accounting, and distribution of supplies, which amounted to 90,000 tons annually; and of local staff engaged in the issue of ration documents and adjustment of retailers' supplies. All costs, including administrative expenses, have been met out of the trading account, no charge has fallen on the Exchequer, and butter has been and is being sold in this country at prices substantially below those prevailing in any other importing country in Europe.
§ Sir J. REMNANTWill the hon. Gentleman say what is the total cost?
§ Mr. McCURDYThere is no cost to the Government in respect of butter sales. The administrative expenses, which are included in the price, are ½ of 1 per cent. I shall be very glad to send the hon. Gentleman particulars of the total 648 turnover, which will show what the ½per cent. amounts to.