3. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will consider appointing additional members to the Food Council with a view to assisting and enabling that body better to fulfil the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Food Prices of 1925, which laid down that, in view of the known existence of price-fixing associations, the Food Council should vigilantly watch these matters?
§ Mr. StanleyI have no reason to think that the membership of the Food Council is inadequate for the discharge of its functions.
Mr. De la BèreWhy does the Food Council consist of persons who refuse to act on the recommendations of the Royal Commission? Is it not up to the Food Council to act upon these recommendations, and will my right hon. Friend answer that question?
§ Mr. StanleyThat applies to quite different points. I have told the hon. Gentleman on several occasions that, if he would prepare some evidence of the facts which he alleges, I am sure the Food Council would inquire into it, and it certainly would be their duty to do so, but up to now the hon. Gentleman does not appear to have made any attempt in this direction.
§ Mr. StanleyI hope that the hon. Gentleman will spend the time with the Food Council.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when the Food Council have made a report reflecting upon certain organisations whose charges are too high, the Board of Trade accepts their recommendation and acts upon it?
§ Mr. StanleyThat is a different question, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it down.
Mr. De la BèreI beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.