Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies. – in the House of Commons at on 16 October 1940.
Mr George Buchanan
, Glasgow Gorbals
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the retail price of onions has risen from 6d. to 1s. per pound in certain areas; and whether he will take steps to prevent profiteering in the sale of an essential foodstuff of which there is an adequate supply?
Mr Robert Boothby
, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Eastern
I am aware that excessive prices have been charged for onions, but I cannot agree that there is an adequate supply or that an adequate supply can be made available in the near future. It is impossible, in these circumstances, to impose a fully effective control over distribution, but a Price Control Order will be issued at an early date, and in the case of imported onions the Ministry, as sole importer, will arrange for the imports to be distributed for first sales to the ports which are the normal centres of first sales and distribution.
Mr. White:
May I ask my hon. Friend whether he is in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture so that steps may be taken if necessary to increase supplies in this country?
Mr Robert Boothby
, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Eastern
Yes, Sir. We are continually in touch.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Will the Ministry fix the price at once before it jumps again?
Mr Robert Boothby
, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Eastern
We hope to do so in the near future.
Mr Charles Brown
, Mansfield
What about seeds-men who are asking for onion seed at the present time for next year's sowing?
Mr John McGovern
, Glasgow Shettleston
Will the Ministry consider fixing the prices of nearly all the foodstuffs in the country? Bananas, for instance, are 3s. a dozen, which is disgraceful.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
