45. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider setting up a central body to deal with the different aspects of the new food problems which the war has created?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The new problems concerning both the supply and the distribution of food created by the war are being dealt with by the Ministry of Food, which was set up expressly for that purpose. There are, of course, certain aspects of food policy which fall within the sphere of other Departments. It would be impracticable to combine responsibility for all these in the functions of a single Department. Close contact is, however, maintained between Departments, and the necessary co-ordination of the broad lines of policy is secured through the Food Policy Committee of the War Cabinet, presided over by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.
Mr. De la BèreDoes my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister not realise the advantage of a central body, evolving a clear and concise policy for food production throughout the country, unencumbered by detail but clear on the things that matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it is possible to decide these things unencumbered by detail. A central body has already been set up.