§ 43. Mr. Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken on the recommendation of April last by the North Midland Regional Price Regulation Committee to the effect that all goods and commodities, including foodstuffs, should be subject to price regulation and investigation; and what arrangements have been made between his Department and the Ministry of Food to effectuate the proposal?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)The Prices of Goods Act has been applied to a very wide range of goods since 10th June last. As regards foodstuffs, perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will await the answer to the Question on this subject which he has addressed to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. LyonsCan my hon. Friend say now whether it is a fact that some arrangement to bring about this desire has been made?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy hon. and learned Friend will have to wait only a very short time before he knows for certain.
§ 51. Mr. Lyonsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have now been made with the Board of Trade whereby the existing machinery of price regulation and inquiry may be applied to all articles and foodstuffs, so as to prevent future exploitation in relation to the purchasing of commodities not hitherto so subject?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Boothby)Arrangements have been made for the use of the existing machinery of inquiry through the Price Regulation Committees set up under the Prices of Goods Act in respect of those foods of which the prices are not controlled by the Minister of Food. My Noble Friend is not concerned with articles other than food.
§ Mr. LyonsWill full publicity be given to this great step forward in the public interest in the cinema, on the radio and in the Press, so that an end can be put to the exploitation which has been tolerated since the outbreak of the war?
§ Mr. BoothbyI will take steps to see that the maximum publicity is given.