§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many tradesmen, including the butchers in the Petersfield-Liphook area, are forcing customers to pay cash only and also for the delivery of goods ordered; that the food control committees refuse such customers the right, when they object to so paying, to change their retailers; and whether he will look into the matter with a view either to checking impositions of the kind or permitting a change of retailer?
§ Mr. BoothbyI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Farnworth (Mr. Tomlinson) in regard to the delivery charge for meat. As regards the refusal of credit by butchers, that is a matter within the competence of the tradesmen concerned and I see no reason for the Ministry to intervene.