HC Deb 06 February 1940 vol 357 cc22-3
45. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increased activities of each Government Department as a result of the war, he will take steps to ensure that the Ministers in charge of these Departments shall devote the fullest possible time to becoming informed of the activities of their own Departments and, additionally, keep a closer touch with the activities of other Ministries and Departments, with a view to ensuring that they are not working on lines out of sympathy with each other?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

The objects which my hon. Friend has in mind are already most fully observed.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister ponder over the last six words of what I have asked, that is with regard to the fact that the Minister of Agriculture controls livestock production and the Minister of Food controls livestock prices? By what right does the Minister of Food control livestock prices at a figure below the cost of production. Will those two Ministers confer together?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.