8. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in arriving at the standard or official price of flour which is announced from time to time, the price of blended flour is taken into this calculation; and whether he will make inquiries from some of the larger bakers in this country and find out at what price they have been buying flour;
§ Mr. StanleyI presume that my hon. Friend refers to the official price of flour in London. I understand that this price relates to flour made from a hypothetical blend of the wheats available at the time. My hon. Friend is aware that at his instance the Food Council are making certain inquiries into the relationship between the official price of flour and that paid by the bakers.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware that, by pressure, the Millers Mutual Price-Fixing Association compels bakers to buy flour at uneconomic prices, and as a result the bakers in turn have to pass on these uneconomic prices to the consumers of bread; and is he further aware that the Food Council is a voluntary body with no powers, and is it not simply being used as a smoke-screen to lull the public into a state of false security?
§ Mr. StanleyThe hon. Gentleman's question is extremely unfair. Because of what he asked me, and in order to assist him, and at his suggestion, I have asked 2133 the Food Council to inquire into this matter, and, therefore, we ought to await the result of that inquiry. I should like once again to contradict the statement which the hon. Gentleman always makes in the form of a question, that the Millers Mutual is a price-fixing organisation.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs not it the fact that at the moment the Food Council has a representative inspecting flour invoices of bakers, and that this inspection includes those of the Co-operative Societies, who are not in the combine?
§ Mr. StanleyThat is so.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not vitally necessary that this policy of laissez faire and unawareness should cease?
15. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ask the Food Council to ascertain from the Millers Mutual Association what percentage of American subsidised flour is contained in the grist of the flour which is being sold to the bakers in the London area?
§ Mr. StanleyImports of flour from the United States are negligible compared with our consumption. The matter is not one that concerns the Millers Mutual Association.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a fact that Kansas wheat is being blended with other wheat, and that the Millers Mutual do derive great benefit from that 5s. American subsidy?
16. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, with a view to preventing a complete monopoly, have some inquiry made regarding the practice which has become prevalent during 1939 of the milling combines purchasing bakery businesses throughout the country at inflated prices in order to have an outlet for the flour which is produced by the Millers Mutual Association?
§ Mr. StanleyPerhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to communicate to me any evidence he has in support of his allegations.
Mr. De La BèreIf I do see the right hon. Gentleman, will he really conscientiously go into this matter? Is it not in the interests of the public that the matter 2134 should be inquired into? I cannot sit still here day after day and see nothing done.