§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD CALVERLEYMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will initiate a campaign to encourage electors to drink less tea and thus force a reduction in its price.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (EARL ST. ALDWYN)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are naturally concerned about the price of tea, but they do not feel that it would be proper for them, under conditions of freedom, to offer advice on the amounts which consumers should use. Your Lordships will have noted that there has been considerable publicity in the Press about the desirability of using tea more economically, and readers will no doubt have taken note of it.
§ LORD CALVERLEYMy Lords, relating to the last sentence of his reply, will the noble Earl approach his right honourable friend the First Lord of the Treasury and ask him to issue a Minute to all public Departments after Ash Wednesday next to stop having "elevenses" and drinking tea?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, I should hesitate to interfere with a tradition of the Civil Service which has been going on for a great deal longer than I have been in existence.