55 and 56. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food (1) whether, with a view to preventing the victimisation of efficient bakers selling bread at economic prices, he will set up an independent tribunal to which the baker may appeal should his supply of flour be threatened or cut off;
(2) whether, with a view to protecting and safeguarding bread consumers, he will introduce legislation to make illegal the operations of any bread price scheme in any locality during the period of the war, since the principle of tolerance not exceeding ½d. per 4-lb. loaf below the Food Council scale is not being observed in some localities?
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. W. S. Morrison)An investigation into the bread price scale and its application in different parts of the United Kingdom is being conducted by my Department and will, I hope, be concluded in the near future. Until this investigation is complete, and all the facts are available, it would be premature to consider the introduction of legislation or to set up a tribunal. If, however, my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any cases of alleged victimisation, I shall be glad to inquire into them.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware of the coercive and dictatorial methods employed to prevent millers supplying individual bakers who may produce a cheap loaf? Is he also aware that the Food Council has been shut up, that nothing has been put forth to protect the public and that there is no protection from the Food Council? Further, are not these methods the rascally manoeuvres of the milling combines?
§ Mr. MorrisonI could not accept the general statement of my hon. Friend, but I can assure him that the matter is being carefully investigated and in the light of the ascertained facts we shall take appropriate action.
Mr. Graham WhiteIn the meantime will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no partial affections or favouritism will be allowed to operate?
§ Mr. MorrisonCertainly, Sir.
57. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food why the report by the Food Council on the schemes for the regula- 214 tion of bread prices was not permitted to be printed by the Stationery Office; and whether, in view of instances which have occurred since the outbreak of the war and the implementing of certain systems to withhold supplies of flour from recognised baking establishments, he will state what safeguards exist to protect the consumers of bread in view of the fact that the Food Council is no longer functioning?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that while certain reports by the Food Council which were of general interest were published, it was not the practice to print all reports, but copies were always available to applicants, and were given to the Press. This applies to the reports prepared in 1935 and 1936, copies of which have been recently supplied to my hon. Friend. As regards the second part of the Question, I shall be happy to consider any facts in regard to individual cases which my hon. Friend may care to submit to me and, as he knows, I have already under examination one case on which he has been in correspondence with my Department.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWould the Minister say when he is going to publish the findings of that special medical committee of his concerned with butter?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is another question.
§ Mr. GriffithsI know it is another question, but I would like an answer to it.