§ 6. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade when the terms of reference and powers of the proposed Consumers' Council will be communicated to the House?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI hope to introduce the necessary Measure shortly.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes it mean that the right hon. Gentleman is going to get this Bill passed before the end of the present Session?
§ Mr. GRAHAMWithout banding the Government in any way, I hope to introduce the Bill very soon after Easter. The progress made will depend upon the House of Commons and upon the reception which the Bill receives from the right hon. Gentleman and his friends. We hope to get it through as soon 163 possible.
§ Sir K. WOODI hope that it will not be elbowed out by the Land Values Bill, or anything of that kind.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELwill powers be given to the Council for the purpose of keeping down the cost of living?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI must ask my hon. Friend to await the text of tie Bill. I have already indicated that the new Council will have power to review prices at all stages, from the raw material so the retail point.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the new Council to the report of the speech made yesterday by Sir Auckland Geddes, which gave the reasons for the high cost of living?
§ 7. Mr. McSHANEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the proposed establishment of a Consumers' Council, since prices of commodities frequently vary in different regions, he will consider the advisability of appointing also consumers' regional committees to inquire into prices within their areas and report to the Central Consumers' Council?
§ Mr. GRAHAMMy hon. Friend's suggestion has been noted.