51. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an assurance that the Government are not taking part in the absorption and control of many of the large bakery combines, negotiations for which are at present taking place by certain large milling interests in this country?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)I know nothing of any such negotiations between milling interests and bakeries.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not the case that negotiations are now going on with the Food Council; and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Royal Commission on Food Prices determined that there should be an inquiry, in view 2979 of the known existence of these price-fixing associations, and are not the Board of Trade fully aware of the fact that these price-fixing associations constitute a real menace to the public?
§ Mr. StanleyThe question which I was asked was whether the Government were taking part in any particular negotiations, and I have answered that I do not know of any negotiations.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not the case that the Food Council have a direct connection with this matter; and will the right hon. Gentleman urge upon the Food Council the necessity to inquire) and to intervene, if it is in the interests of the public that there should be inquiry and intervention?