§ 1. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the report of the Food Council on schemes for the regulation of bread prices; and what action he pro poses to take thereon?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The report is under consideration. Before reaching a decision on it I desire to give the trade organisations concerned an opportunity of furnishing observations and they have been asked to submit any such observations at an early date.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman at this stage undertake that he will not give approval to any scheme which will prevent bread being sold at reasonable prices to the public?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe will certainly give what protection we can.
§ Mr. BANFIELDIf the President sets up this court of referees or arbitration, will representations be made for the operatives on the question of hours and wages?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he says that the Government will give what protection they can? Is it not the case that we can give the public every protection?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe cannot give every protection because the price must be affected by the price of world supplies.