§ 57. Major Lyonsasked the Minister of Food if he has now considered the representations and proposals of the North Midland Regional Price Regulation Committee in connection with the distribution and sale of spirits; and what steps he now proposes to take for the protection of the public.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe reply to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." In reply to the last part, I do not consider that I would be justified, in undertaking the control of the distribution and sale of wines and spirits.
§ Major LyonsDoes not the Minister know that for some years this racket has gone on against the public and that his Department has done nothing, on the pretence that they have never heard of it? Will he take steps to stop this underground racket, which operates to the detriment of the genuine buyer?
§ Colonel LlewellinIt would mean setting up another large control, taking on a largely increased staff in the Ministry, and issuing a large number of forms to control the distribution of things that are not necessities.
§ Major LyonsArising out of that could not the whole position be effectively simplified by a maximum price that has the force of law and not merely a price fixed internally by the distillers, which is obeyed by so few people?
§ Mr. E. WalkdenHas the Minister not already a price control for wine supplied with meals, and does not that work?
§ Colonel LlewellinThere is such an order applying to whisky, gin and beer, at any rate, sold with a meal——
§ Mr. WalkdenNot whisky but wine. I ask the Minister to look into his own Order.
§ Colonel LlewellinMay I finish—and an arrangement applying to the Algerian wines, imported by the Ministry.