§ Mr. STANTONasked the Lord Privy Seal if the Government has decided to terminate the functions of all Food Committees upon the 30th of June next; if, in view of the experience gained and the interest shown by Committees and the continual necessity to protect consumers from exorbitant charges, he will consider the desirability of not dissolving local bodies who have successfully administered the orders of the Ministry of Food from its inception and who have gained the confidence of consumers and of all law-abiding traders; if he is aware that 1067W their abolition in South Wales will lead to dissatisfaction, as the consumers have learned to look with confidence to such Committees for protection; and if the Government will reconsider its decision in this matter?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Wednesday, 14th April, to a question put by the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. A. Short). The advisability of continuing Local Food Control Committees has received very careful consideration, but I feel that, in view of the large saving in expenditure which will be effected by the proposed re-organisation, the continuance of the Committees for the local work which remains to be done would not be justified. I do not anticipate that there will be any difficulty in maintaining the enforcement of maximum prices under the new system, or that the consumer will suffer in any way. I am not aware that the proposed arrangements will cause dissatisfaction either in South Wales or elsewhere.