§ Sir H. NIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade if the subject of the proposed milk combine has been brought to the notice of the Department; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action to have the circumstances of its inception and promotion thoroughly investigated or whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent the control of specific trades passing into the hands of a few capitalists whereby competitors may be extinguished and the public gravely prejudiced?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. The matters referred to in the question have been thoroughly investigated by the Sub-committee appointed to consider the Government control of the wholesale distribution of milk. Their conclusion is that while economies in distribution have clearly resulted from the amalgamation, it is desirable in the interests of the consumer that a concern of this magnitude should be subject to a definite form of Government control. With this conclusion the Food Controller agrees, and he is considering what steps can best be taken to safeguard the interests of the consumer.