§ 49. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that the substitute material, for the production of which the Vestey combine has been granted permission to build a factory, is already being supplied to Government departments by the original producers; and why assistance to develop production has been refused in the case of this original firm?
§ The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)Yes, Sir. The material is supplied by a number of firms and it was decided that although further manufacture by the industry should be encouraged the facts did not warrant the granting of financial assistance to any particular firm.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that if the Vestey combine get control of this substitute they can crush out the independent producers and then regulate the production of the substitute to suit their financial interests in the original material, which at present is costing the lives of seamen and the loss of ships? Is not that the case? Mr. Speaker, will not the Minister answer? If the combine get control of this substitute will they keep down the production of the substitute in order to safeguard their investments in the original product? It is a dirty racket, one of the dirtiest rackets being run.