Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Food whether the consumers' council is at present composed of 16 representatives of the Labour, Co-operative, and Socialist parties out of a total membership of 20; why retail traders are denied the representation which is given to their co-operative competitors; whether the avowed object of these 16 representatives is the nationalisation of food; and what steps he is taking to make the council more representative of all sections of the community?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe constitution of the consumers' council has been stated on several occasions in answer to previous questions, copies of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. I am not aware that the avowed object of the representatives referred to in the question is as stated. As regards the last part of the question, the re-constitution of the consumers' council is receiving my consideration at the present time.