§ 72. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Council has completed its inquiries into the price of fish; when the Report will be issued; and whether he can give any indication of the conclusions reached?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am informed that the Food Council will consider the final draft of their Report on Fish Prices at their meeting on Friday and hope to present their Report to me very shortly after. It will be published as soon as possible.
§ Mr. G. HARVEYIs there the slightest hope of the Food Council achieving any effective result?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think it would be wise for the hon. Member and myself to await the arrival of the Report before coming to any conclusion.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERWould it not be wise for the Council to wait until the Report is issued before sending a preliminary report to the Press?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not aware that the Food Council have made any communication as to their conclusions to the Press. It would be very unusual for them to do so. It is usual for Departments to make their Report first to the Government.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some of the proposals have already appeared in all the leading newspapers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am afraid I was not aware of that. At any rate, I have not issued it to the Press, because I have not seen it.