§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain tea magnates are raising the price of tea in defiance of the Food Controller; is he aware that about 100,000,000 pounds of tea owned by planters and bonded tea merchants have been kept in bond for the past two months waiting for a rise; and will the Government consider the advisability of commandeering all the tea in order to protect the poor?
Captain BATHURSTI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement made on Saturday last of arrangements between the Food Controller and the representatives of the importers and other persons interested in the tea trade, which will ensure that 40 per cent. of the total shipments of tea from India and Ceylon shall, on and after the 1st May, be sold retail at from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 4d. per pound.