1 and 2. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will make some inquiry through the Food Council or other 180 channels regarding the official price of flour, with a view to ensuring that the official price is not artificially manipulated to a higher level than the selling price of the day;
(2) what provision has been made to safeguard the official price of flour in all areas throughout the country being manipulated so as to prevent a break in the price of bread which would occur if this price were not manipulated?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)I understand that the Food Council is engaged in making inquiry into the official price of flour.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware that, owing to the operation of these price-fixing associations in the London area, the official price of flour is being artificially manipulated, and is he further aware that the Food Council takes the opinion of the milling combines and does not take a line of its own; and will he investigate the matter further?
§ Mr. StanleyMy hon. Friend asked me whether I would make some inquiry on this point. I have answered that the Food Council is taking the matter up, and any points which the hon. Member has I will bring to their notice, so that they may deal with them.