§ 63. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Report of the Food Council on the price of meat, he proposes to take any immediate action in the interests of the public, and especially of the working classes, to prevent profiteering?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)The Food Council are making a general inquiry into the meat trade, and I propose to await the results of that inquiry. The Report referred to related to the price list issued at Smithfield Market as a guide to the public, and not to the profits made by the meat trade in general.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it not a fact that the cause of the high price of meat is the embargo on Dutch and other foreign meat?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThat question dons not arise.
§ Mr. RADFORDIs my hon. Friend aware that in small communities, where there are only two or three butchers' shops, the price of meat is 3d. and 4d. per lb. dearer than in the neighbouring towns?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWill the hon. Member make inquiries from his colleague the Secretary of State for War, who is in a position to purchase best mutton at 6¼ per lb.?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe inquiry referred to in the question is not an inquiry into the prices of meat at all, but an inquiry into the policy of publishing these lists at Smithfield Market giving the weekly prices of meat.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the hon. Member do anything to expedite this inquiry in view of the fall in wages?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe Food Council is now examining the problem.
§ Mr. TAYLORCannot the hon. Member hurry them up?