§ Mr. Channonasked the Minister of Food if he will consider controlling the price of canary seed, in view of the fact that whilst in 1938–39 the price was 6d. and 8d. per pound, the price today is 13s. per pound.
§ Sir B. Smith:I have already considered this matter. No imports of canary seed are allowed and there is only a small quantity of home produced seed which is used in a large variety of bird mixtures. Price control would have to apply to all these mixtures and would create an administrative burden disproportionate to the quantities involved, without increasing the supply. I cannot therefore see my way clear to introduce price control.