§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the published accounts of many trusts, combines and companies engaged in the wheat, milling, flour, tea, margarine, milk, butter and meat trades show that these companies pay dividends ranging from 12½ per cent. and 40 per cent. to 172.8 per cent., and in addition frequently distribute bonus shares to their shareholders; and whether, in view of the fact that these great profits inflict suffering, especially on the poorer section of the community, he will introduce legislation on the lines embodied in the Moneylenders' Restriction of Interest Bill now before Parliament, whereby it will become illegal for any groups of financiers or shareholders, either directly or indirectly, to obtain profits higher than a certain percentage?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 5th March to the hon. Member for the Hartlepools (Sir W.274W Sugden), of which I am sending him a copy. The Government do not intend to make proposals dealing with foodstuffs until they have received the Report of the Royal Commission. As regards the hon. Member's specific proposal, I may remind him that a high rate of dividend may correspond with a low rate of profit on turnover, and conversely an unprofitable undertaking does not necessarily provide a cheap supply.