§ Mr. BAKERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the average wholesale price received by the Dominion producer in Australia for frozen beef, ex-store in London, has been for the last nine months 3¾d. per lb., of which 1d. to 1½d. represents the cost of breeding, raising, and droving the cattle into the freezing works; and whether, seeing that this meat has been retailed in London at an average of 9d. per lb., he will take steps to safeguard the consumer?
Mr. WEBBI understand that there is some difference of opinion as to the average wholesale and retail prices of Australian frozen beef; other estimates which have authority are 4d. per lb. ex-store and 6½d. per lb. for the average retail price during the past nine months. I would remind the hon. Member that the Board of Trade have no powers to deal with prices, and that legislation of a highly contentious character would be necessary, for which there is plainly no time this Session.