49. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) relating to milling combines?
§ [That this House deplores the effect on wheat offals for stock-feeding of the Government's wheat policy under which the millers have to find approximately £1 per quarter on a crop of 8,000,000 quarters with the consequence that the price charged for offals is at least as much as the farmer receives for his wheat; considers that the raising of the price of flour would not be an acceptable solution of the problem: is of the opinion that the 559 profits of the milling combines, who have been enabled to reap undue benefits from past legislation, should be limited; and, as the present prices of flour and offals are inequitable to consumers of bread and stock-feeding farmers, calls upon the Government to institute immediate inquiries with a view to fixing a maximum price for home-produced wheat offals and a reduction in the price of flour.]
§ The Prime MinisterIn view of the congested state of business up to the end of the financial year, I can hold out no hope of time being given for the discussion of Private Members' Motions.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the Prime Minister realise that the three large milling combines undertaking control of the Government's wheat reserves have absolute power and enjoy a monopoly, and is he further aware that power always corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely?