HC Deb 23 June 1925 vol 185 cc1263-4
3. Captain GARRO-JONES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposed Food Council will be empowered to compel the disclosure by trusts or combines of food dealers of information which is relevant to its proper investigations?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

As already announced by the Prime Minister, it is not proposed to confer any statutory powers on the Food Council, unless experience proves that such powers are necessary.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to say what useful purpose this Council can serve which cannot already be served by the Board of Trade?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I think the very useful purposes set out in the Report of the Royal Commission.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what those purposes will be? The Board of Trade, as I understand it, has already statutory powers, and I should like to ask what powers this Council will have that are not already possessed by the Board of Trade?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member had better put that question on the Paper.