§ Sir OWEN PHILIPPSasked the Food Controller whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Government Department who control the price and sale of Japanese peas are keeping up the price of this article of food and selling it at over 66s. per cwt. ex warehouse, whilst British merchants are prepared to import the same commodity, to pay current rates of freight, and sell to the public on a commercial basis at under 36s. per cwt.; and whether he will take steps to stop what appears to be an instance of Government profiteering in this article?
§ Mr. McCURDYStocks of Japanese peas are held in this country which were purchased before the Armistice at prices in excess of those which now prevail. These peas are being offered at 66s. 9d. per cwt. ex store, and next week this price will be reduced to 48s. 9d. It is possible that Japanese peas can be bought at 36s. for March and April shipments c.i.f., but it is improbable that they would reach this country during the season, which ends about the month of June. I may add that it is most unlikely that any profit will be shown in Government transactions in Japanese peas.