63. Mr. MALONEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the Report of the Food Council on their inquiry into retail milk prices and profits in London and, in particular, their finding that in some cases profits have been made of 49.7 per cent. and 34.1 per cent. on the capital employed, and that there is no justification for a charge of 7d. per quart for eight months in the year; and whether he proposes to take any action on this Report to prevent the continuance of this winter price during the month of April?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on Tuesday last, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the Food Council reported that in their opinion the winter price would not be justified in both April and September this year, but only in one of the two months.
Mr. MALONEWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of the question, as to whether 1857 he proposes to take any action; and, if so, does he propose to take action before it is too late?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERObviously there is no question of its being too late. The Food Council, in their Report, say that the price ought to be reduced in one of two months, either in April or in September. If the price were not reduced in April, then, assuming the Food Council's Report to hold the field, the question would arise in September, when the hon. Member will be able to put a question if he is returned to Parliament again.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not the fact that the co-operative societies have already announced a reduction on the 1st April?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt is not for me to make it general, but no doubt others will follow that good example.