52. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, 2241 in connection with the Government's reserve wheat storage plan, he can give the names of the advisory committee who have been appointed to decide on the question of deterioration of these reserves and the necessity for replacement, and whether he can give an assurance that the members of this committee are entirely unconnected with the milling concerns who are carrying out the Government's wheat-storage scheme?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs I indicated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 5th July, the decision to replace any particular part of the Government wheat reserve is taken by the Food (Defence Plans) Department. The Department take the decision after a report has been received from the firm of Cargo Superintendents, and after consultation with the advisory committee. The membership of the advisory committee is as follows:
§ Mr. Arthur Robinson (Chairman), Sir Norman Vernon, Bt., Mr. J. V. Rank, Mr. J. McFadyen representing the milling concerns, and two representatives of the Food (Defence Plans) Department.
Mr. De la BèreDoes my right hon. Friend realise that some of these gentlemen are directly interested in this business, and is he not aware that this matter is really a grave scandal?
§ Mr. MorrisonAs my answer indicated, I am aware that these gentlemen whose names I mentioned assist the Government on this committee and represent the firms which do the work for the Government; but I am quite unaware of what is stated in the second part of the question—indeed, I am able to deny it categorically.
Mr. De la BèreThis is a matter of the utmost importance. Is my right hon. Friend not aware that this sort of thing cannot be allowed to go on, and that I will not sit still and see it go on?