12. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade the total expenditure incurred in connection with the Food Council during the year 1930–31; and how many meetings of the council were held during that period and the number during the first four months of this year?
§ 10. Miss WILKINSONasked the President of the Board of Trade when the last meeting of the Food Council took place; and whether any report can be expected from them in the near future?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe last meeting of the Food Council was held on the 18th December, 1930, but it will be appreciated that full meetings of the council are not necessary for the day to day conduct of the inquiries which it authorises. I understand that another meeting of the council will take place shortly, but I am unable to say whether it will then be in a position to report on any of the questions which it has before it. The total expenditure in connection with the work of the Food Council during the year 1930–31 was £1,093. Three meetings of the Council were held during that period.
Sir F. HALLAs only three meetings were held during the whole of last year, why was there such a large expenditure; 972 and, as no meetings were held this year, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the way the work is going on?
§ Mr. GRAHAMMy hon. and gallant friend is under a misapprehension. The great bulk of the work consists of inquiries, and not in the formal meetings of the council; there is day-to-day investigation.
§ Mr. GRAHAMWe do not propose to fall into the trap of the kind indicated by the hon. Member. On the contrary, under the Consumers' Council Bill, we propose to extend the work.
§ Mr. McSHANEArising out of the original reply, as the Food Council was originally established by the present Leader of the Opposition, and the main reason for its existence—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot go into that question now.