§ 48. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the appointment of a fourth Under-Secretary of State to look after consumer interests in Scotland, in view of the increased duties which will fall on the Secretary of State for Scotland as a result of the fusion of the Ministries of Agriculture and Food.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not consider that the new duties referred to in the Question will call for the appointment of an additional Scottish Minister.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Prime Minister aware—as I am sure he is—that a week ago he stated in the House that
the interests of the consumers require most careful consideration"?—[OFF ICIAL REPORT, 19th Oct., 1954, Vol. 531, c. 1034.]Does not he agree that those interests would be better safeguarded by placing them under the control of a Ministry specially created for that purpose, rather than assigning them to a Minister whose interests are competing with and in conflict with those of the consumer?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, I do not think so. It would be curious to set up in the same Government two Ministers with absolutely opposite and conflicting objectives. It is very much better for all Ministers to concern themselves with the efficient discharge of their duties so as to secure the cheapest and most abundant supplies to the consumer, having regard to the continuance of that process and the maintenance of the industries which supply them.
§ Mr. RankinIf it is wrong to do this in a Government, why transfer the wrong on one individual?
§ The Prime MinisterAn individual's mind is supposed to be an entity in which all considerations are balanced one with another.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs my right hon. Friend aware that the consumers of this country are fed more cheaply than the consumers in any other part of the world? Is it therefore necessary to take any further steps to protect their interests?