§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Food Controller whether he is consulting his experts as to the advisability of reimposing control during the coming winter in view of the warnings now being afforded by other European countries where there is no control?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Government have decided that the Ministry of Food shall 49W continue for the present with full powers. I am accordingly making arrangements to regulate during the coming winter supplies, prices, and distribution of essential foodstuffs, either by Statutory Order or by arrangement with the trades concerned. The articles so controlled will comprise bread, meat, bacon, milk, cheese, butter, margarine, fish, eggs, and certain subsidiary foods of which there may be an actual or prospective shortage. It will not, I hope, be necessary to restrict consumption by a revival of the coupon system, but it is already becoming difficult in some instances to adjust available supplies to a demand which has increased irrespective of price.