§ Mr. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increases in the prices of certain articles of food, notably butter, bacon and cheese, since the Budget; and whether he will consider the desirability of obtaining power to compel the cold storage companies to declare the nature and quantity of stocks held in cold storage, when required by his Department, with a view to preventing unnecessary increases in the prices of foodstuffs?
Mr. WEBBMy attention has been drawn to recent movements in the prices of foodstuffs. They are being carefully watched, but I do not think it would be useful to introduce legislation, which would be necessary to give effect to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.