§ 4. Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade how many times the Food Commission has met since its inauguration; and what action it has taken?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Royal Commission on Food Pries ceased at the end of last April. The Food Council to which I therefore presume the hon. and gallant Member refers, has Held five full meetings since its establishment at the end of July, and its committees have held 11 meetings. The results of the council's work are embodied in the reports which the council has made to me, and in the statements issued to the Press from time to time by the council and its committees. I am sending copies of these reports and statements to the hon. and gallant Member for his information, and I have had copies placed in the Library.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the work of the Food Council has led to any reduction in the cost of living generally?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think undoubtedly it has led to a reduction in the price of bread.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that, with the exception of sugar, practically every main food product is up, in wholesale and retail price?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe hon. Gentleman, with his experience at the Board of Trade and in another sphere, will have appreciated that no council is capable of controlling world economic forces.