HC Deb 13 December 1938 vol 342 cc1767-9
1 and 2. Mr. De la Bère

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that all offals relating to imported flour are also imported;

(2) whether he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that all wheat imported into this country should be imported whole to ensure that all the flour is milled in this country?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

I am afraid that I cannot accept either of my hon. Friend's suggestions.

Mr. De la Bère

If not, why not? Does not my right hon. Friend realise that some inquiry is needed to enable the home producer to ascertain the reason for the price of offals; and is he aware that since 1925 there has been no inquiry on this subject?

Mr. Stanley

I was not asked about an inquiry; I was asked about two specific pieces of legislation. If my hon. Friend wishes to know why I reject his suggestions, it is, first, because I believe they would be impracticable, and, secondly, because I believe they would be ineffective.

3. Mr. De la Bère

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect of the 30,000 truckloads of wheat from Rumania, purchased by the Government whole, any portion of this will be available for the country millers?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. As I explained to the House on 2nd June last, all wheat in the Government reserve, when it becomes due for milling to prevent deterioration, is taken by the three large concerns which are assisting the Government in the administration of the wheat storage scheme.

Mr. De la Bère

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the country millers are entitled to some consideration, if a monopoly of milling combines is to be avoided?

Mr. Stanley

I think that the House was satisfied with the explanation I gave as to the arrangements made for turning over Government wheat. I am satisfied that, if it were pot dealt with in this way, the only alternative would be, when the wheat became due for milling, to throw it on to the open market, which would have a very bad effect on prices.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that precautions are taken so that, in the even of a war or something of that kind occurring, it will be made possible for the poor to have an equal opportunity of getting the flour produced from this wheat?

Mr. Stanley

That is rather a different question, but it is present to my mind.

Later—

Mr. De la Bère

I beg to give notice that, in view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the replies to questions 1, 2 and 3, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Thorne

On a point of Order. Is an hon. Member entitled to give notice of that kind about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour after his questions have been put?

Mr. Speaker

I think not.

Mr. Thurtle

Is not the hon. Member entitled to think the matter over before he gives notice?