Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give an assurance that he will not sanction an increase in the price of bread in the provinces without an independent inquiry as distinct from the joint price committees which may be set up?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave to the questions he put to me on nth October. I do not follow his allusion to "joint price committees which may be set up."

Mr. De la Bère:

Can my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that never again shall the milling combine be allowed to manoeuvre and manipulate the price of bread? What has become of the Food Council and who is protecting the consumer to-day?

I can give the hon. Member an assurance that no one will be allowed to manipulate and manoeuvre the people's food.