23. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the public interests are threatened since the milling interests have become bakery owners, he will request the Food Council to investigate, and intervene if necessary, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Food Prices?
§ Mr, StanleyIf my hon. Friend can furnish me with evidence that the public interests are being threatened, I will bring it to the notice of the Food Council.
Mr. De la BèreIs not my right hon. Friend suffering from a certain unaware-ness? Can he inform us whether the Food Council are an active body or not? If they are, why do they not act and inquire into this matter as was laid down by the Royal Commission? Will my right hon. Friend very kindly give me an answer?
§ Mr. StanleyI will give an answer, and all my answers are given very kindly. The Food Council is an active body, but they are not in possession of the information, or, perhaps I should say, the suspicions of the hon. Member, which are not always found to be well-founded. What I have said is that if he will furnish me with evidence of the accuracy of his fears, I will pass it on to the Food Council who, I have no doubt, will make active inquiries into the matter.
§ Mr. RidleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that among a large body of well-informed opinion, the view is held that the activities of the milling combines are highly damaging to both producer and consumer; and what activity does the Government propose in that respect?
§ Mr. StanleyI think the hon. Gentleman should bring that question to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Hillsborough (Mr. Alexander) who is associated with one of the largest of those combines.
Mr. De la BèreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what we all protest against is the activity of these price-fixing associations?