§ 80. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the failure of certain traders to give information to the Food Council, which was noted in the Report of the council to the Board of Trade on 17th May, has now been remedied; and, if not, whether he will take immediate steps to compel the production of such information, in accordance with the undertaking given to the House of Commons on 17th May, by means of a resolution under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSI understand that in nearly all cases satisfactory information has been furnished or promised. As regards the comparatively few outstanding cases in which information has not been supplied, I am informed that the Food Council do not yet think it necessary to report that they have definitely failed to get the required information.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERIn that reply, does the Parliamentary Secretary include the case of the London Millers' Association? Have they now supplied the' information required?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSNo, that is one exception. The information has not yet been obtained.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERAre we to understand that the Prime Minister's pledge in May last is to go on for month after month, and that recalcitrant traders are to he allowed to go scot free?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe Food Council are aware of the Prime Minister's promise, and, if they report that they want the promise given effect to, action may be taken, but the initiative in the matter clearly must lie with the Food Council.