HC Deb 25 June 1925 vol 185 cc1715-6
53 and 75. Mr. JOHN GUEST

(1) asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to take any further action to prevent profiteering in foodstuffs;

(2) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any progress has yet been made in the appointment of the Food Council; whether the chairman has been appointed, and what is his name and salary; where the office of the Council will be situated; and whether the country will be represented by regional appointments or the members of the Council confined to persons resident in London?

50. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Prime Minister when the Government will take action, on the lines indicated recently, to bring about a reduction in the high price of food?

71. Captain GARRO-JONES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the name of the chairman or any of the members of the proposed Food Council?

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

The action which the Government propose to take with regard to the appointment of a Food Council was stated by the Prime Minister in his speech at Welbeck on the 1st June. Lord Bradbury has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to become chairman of the Food Council. It is not proposed that he should receive a salary. An announcement will be made when the other members have been appointed.

Mr. GUEST

Is it not desirable that some more immediate and drastic action should be taken on this question than appears to be involved in this proposal?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

If that were the view of the Government, we should have adopted a policy other than that announced by the Prime Minister.

Mr. TAYLOR

Do the Government consider that legislative action will be necessary before the Food Council can be set up?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. The Prime Minister said plainly in the speech to which I have referred that the Food Council would be set up without legislative action.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Did Lord Bradbury accept the chairmanship fully understanding that condition?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Of course.