HC Deb 16 November 1937 vol 329 cc196-7
30. Mr. Smedley Crooke

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the anxiety of the general body of housewives in the country caused by the rise in prices of groceries and other foodstuffs, which is causing hardship to those with small fixed incomes; whether he will set up an inquiry to make sure that the rise is not due to rings; and whether he will consider what further steps he can take to ease the burden of expenditure on the necessities of life.

Mr. Stanley

I am aware that the rise in food prices is causing concern. In general I would remind my hon. Friend that the rise in food prices reflects a recovery from the conditions of the period of depression. I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by a special inquiry as suggested by my hon. Friend. Prices of foodstuffs are under continual observation both by the Food Council and the Government, and I am sure that the Council would not fail to report to me if it appeared that the prices of any foodstuffs were being raised unduly by the operation of rings.

Mr. Crooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that even the threat of an inquiry has caused a small drop in the prices of some foodstuffs; and would he, therefore, reconsider whether he will not have an inquiry made into the matter?

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend's question refers specifically to the question of rings, and my answer is that that question is continually under the review of the Food Council, who, if they thought that there was a ring in a particular industry which was putting up prices, would not fail to report the matter to me at once.

Mr. Mander

If the Food Council did make such a recommendation, would the Government be prepared to act upon it?

Mr. Stanley

I should like to see first what the recommendation was.

Mr. Silverman

Is it still the policy of the Government to encourage a rise in prices?

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. I put down a question, arising out of a resolution passed by the Labour party of Thornton, drawing attention to profiteer- ing, or alleged profiteering, in connection with food prices, and asking that an inquiry should be instituted. You ruled, Mr. Speaker, that this question could not be put down, and I would like some explanation of why my question was ruled out while the present question has been allowed?

Mr. Speaker

That is a matter which I cannot go into at the moment, but I can explain to the hon. Member afterwards exactly why his question was ruled out.