asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether instructions have been issued against members of local authorities accepting appointments under food control organisations?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Thursday last to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with the in crease in the price of bread which has been recommended by the London Joint Bread Price Committee on or after 20th May, he can state what percentage of this proposed increase will be passed on to the bakers?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the recent increase of ¼d. in the price of the 1 lb. loaf in the London area recently recommended to bakers by the London Joint Price Committee. In so far as effect is given by bakers to this recommendation the increase of price will accrue to those bakers.

Is the Minister aware that unless problems are solved at their roots they beget other problems, and it then becomes incumbent to solve those other problems?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now make some statement regarding the Government's intentions over the introduction of national or standard bread throughout the country?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied with the present position with regard to the nutritive value of bread generally sold to the public in this country; whether he has yet been able to consider the recommendation sent to him by a group of Members of this House interested in the scientific aspect of this matter; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter having regard to the desirability of enabling the public to obtain the maximum nourishment from bread?

The whole question of the nutritive value of bread is now under consideration and I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

Has this question not been settled 20 years ago?

Not so far as I am aware.

Is this not a most important issue?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the facts and figures placed before the Ministry regarding the shortage in the delivery of feeding-stuffs to Northern Ireland since the beginning of this year, he will make arrangements for the supply of the promised quota to Northern Ireland, thus placing it on a par with Great Britain?

Since 1st February the proportion of pre-war supplies of maize and barley allocated to Northern Ireland has been slightly higher than the proportion allocated to Great Britain, but it has not been possible to make up the January deficiency. I have communicated with my hon. Friend in reply to the letter he addressed to me on this subject, and I am having further inquiries made.

Will the Minister give a promise that as early as possible he will make up the deficiency for January?

Yes, Sir, as early as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the prospective erection of cold-storage depots in Great Britain, he will arrange to have at least one such depot erected in Northern Ireland where the conditions are so favourable for cold-storage purposes?

I regret that it is not practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The existing cold storage space in Northern Ireland is more than sufficient to meet the needs of local consumption.

Arising from that answer, may I point out that I am informed other- wise? In view of the situation with which we are faced, we feel that the Ministry should give us more storage facilities in Northern Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied with the present volume and utilisation of cold-storage accommodation in this country; and what steps he is taking to offer reasonable inducement to private enterprise to increase their cold-storage capacity on a temporary or permanent basis?

I am satisfied that the cold storage accommodation at present available is being used in the best manner. Accommodation is being increased as quickly as possible by the erection of new Government cold stores and by inducements to cold store proprietors to build new cold-storage space.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the approximate proportion of our sugar imports which are now being obtained from Empire sources; how this proportion compares with that at a similar date in 1939; and whether he anticipates that it will shortly be possible to obtain all our requirements of sugar from the Empire?

Arrangements have been completed for the purchase of the entire exports of the coming season's sugar crops of Australia, the Union of South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji and the British West Indian Colonies. The total quantity involved is about one and three-quarter million tons, of which the United Kingdom proportion is about one and a quarter million tons. Arrivals of this sugar in the United Kingdom will be spread over a long period, beginning in about two months and do not therefore affect the immediate sugar supplies.

Canada and New Zealand are partners with the United Kingdom Government in these purchases, and both Dominions have shown the utmost co-operation throughout the negotiations, whilst the arrangements have been much facilitated by the helpful attitude of the exporting Dominions and Colonies concerned. Supplies of foreign sugar are only purchased to supplement, as necessary, deficiencies in supplies from Empire sources and this policy will be continued for the future. In the circumstances no useful conclusion would be drawn from a comparison between present and pre-war figures.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered cases in which large retail firms are selling national butter at 1s. 6d. per pound, whereas small shops, who cannot purchase supplies at less than 1s. 5d., can hardly sell at less than 1s. 7d.; and how he proposes to deal with them?

I am aware that national butter is being sold by certain retail organisations below the prescribed maximum price of 1s. 7d. per pound. This is clearly in the consumers' interest and it is not desirable to take any step which would have the effect of increasing the cost to the consumer.

Could not an effort be made to supply small retailers with butter at 1s. 5d. and to allow them to sell it at a higher price?

My Noble Friend is not, I think, prepared to take any steps which would have the effect of raising prices for the consumer.

Will the Minister say that the price of butter will not go up any higher, because, if it does, the poorer sections of the community will be able to have nothing more than margarine?

We are doing our best to see that no prices go up.

If it is possible for some firms to sell national butter on an economic basis at 1s. 6d. a pound, would it not be possible to arrange the distribution of butter so that everyone could purchase it at that price? What justification is there for one section of the population paying 1s. 7d. per pound for butter and another section paying 1s. 6d. per pound?

The element of competition comes in, which I do not think is unhealthy; but the whole question of trade margins is under consideration.

Why should the poor consumer pay for the competition?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps he proposes to take to subject to price control those articles of foodstuffs in common use that are not subject to control by the Minister of Food, and which are not covered by any order yet made under the Prices of Goods Act?

By far the larger part of foodstuffs in common use is controlled either by a Maximum Price Order or by some other means. Control will be extended where practicable and necessary to other foodstuffs of the kind described by my hon. and learned Friend as soon as possible.

Has the Minister received certain complaints, particularly from the North Regional Prices Committee, with regard to high prices of foodstuffs not yet controlled? Does he not think that after nine months of war it is time to put an end to these many vexations?

Yes, Sir, these questions are under consideration and action will be taken as soon as possible. I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that charges of profiteering can be brought under the Prices of Goods Act.

Is the Minister aware that unless a commodity is subject to the Prices of Goods Act Regulations it is difficult to find anyone who can take action? Will he consider, on behalf of the people who are paying these prices, taking action forthwith?

I shall be very glad if my hon. and learned Friend can give me any instances.

Is the Minister taking note of the extraordinary price charged for tomatoes? In some cases they are being sold at 1s. 6d. a pound.