HC Deb 22 November 1954 vol 533 cc755-6
14. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Food what functions are still being carried out by his Department.

Mr. Amory

The functions are still the same as those set out by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 14th April last.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

In view of the substantial increase in food prices since October, 1951, and the substantial increase in the number of persons poisoned as a result of eating food nowadays, is there not a very clear case for continuing the Ministry of Food in the vital interest of protecting the consumers? Will he ask the Prime Minister to reconsider this foolish idea of abolishing the Ministry of Food?

Mr. Amory

I am afraid the answer is "No" to both parts of the question.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although his original answer, to which he referred in his reply today, was satisfactory, his double negative today is very much more satisfactory?

Mr. Jay

Does the Minister recognise that he now has any responsibility for the welfare of the consumer?

Mr. Amory

Certainly I have, within the functions that remain to my Department.

Mr. Jay

Can the Minister tell us what would happen to these responsibilities if the Ministry of Food were abolished?

Mr. Amory

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to wait until our plans have matured for the transfer of responsibility to the new Department.