§ 62. Mr. Lipsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, with a view to reducing the possibility of speculation, he will licence all traders in foodstuffs, wholesale and retail?
Major Lloyd GeorgeRetail food traders are already required to be licensed under the Food Control Committees 894 (Local Distribution) Order (S.R. & 0., 1939, No. 1312). As regards all other dealers in foodstuffs, including wholesalers, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Leicester,. East (Captain Lyons), on Wednesday, 14th May. Since then the licensing of wholesalers for canned fish and tea has been announced.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that speculation in foodstuffs is increasing, and that there is very great dissatisfaction at the slowness with which his Ministry moves in this matter? If he is not prepared to adopt this suggestion, will he put in force measures of his own?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot accept the contention that food speculation is increasing. [Hon. Members: "Oh."] I am sorry, I cannot accept the contention. I am not speaking without knowledge. The fact is that practically all important commodities are now price-controlled. The difficulty before price control was that speculation was made much easier. In the case of some of these price control orders licensing accompanies the order. In future that may be extended. Licensing without control would have the effect which the hon. Member wishes to avoid.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes that answer mean that the black market no longer exists?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI never said that. There is no Ministry that I know of who will get rid of it altogether.