HC Deb 08 March 1939 vol 344 cc2151-3W
Brigadier-General Brown

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Food Council, criticising the prices charged by butchers during 1038 on home-killed mutton and lamb, and their suggestions that they were not treating the home-producer fairly; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

Mr. Cross

My right hon. Friend has read this report (which is in fact addressed to him), and he agrees with the Food Council in hoping that there will be an early reduction in the retailers' margin on home-killed mutton and lamb. He is calling the attention of the butchers' organisations to this part of the report and the position will be watched. It is only fair to add that the report also states that it is unlikely that butchers are making excessive profits.