§ 40. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Wholesale Co-operative Society give the full weight of tea in each packet without weighing the paper; if he is aware that the majority of 701 grocers have their tea weighed up with the wrappers, which are now much heavier than in pre-war days; and whether he will issue an Order that all tea packages must give the full weight of tea without the weight of the package?
Captain BATHURSTI understand that the practice of the Wholesale Co-operative Society is as stated in the questions. I am aware that a large number of grocers sell packets by a weight which includes and is stated on the packet to include the weight of the paper wrapper itself. The Food Controller is not proposing at present to make an Order to the effect suggested in the last part of the question. It should be recognised that, in the event of such an Order being issued, the price of the tea could be proportionately increased.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this firm could have made an increased profit on last year's trading of over £200,000 if they had Weighed in the wrapper with the tea and charged the price of tea for the paper wrapper?
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the paper of which the wrapper is made is worth about 5d. a lb., and that the purchaser has to pay the price of tea—2s. 6d. a lb.—for it?
§ Mr. BUTCHERWould it not be advisable to stop this practice of including paper as though it were tea so as to enable the public to know what weight of tea they are really buying?
Captain BATHURSTI am not sure the hon. and learned Gentleman heard my original answer, in which I pointed out that on all these packets where the paper is included with the tea notification to that effect appears on the packet.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIs there any notification as to the weight of the paper as compared with the weight of the tea?
Captain BATHURSTNo, there is not, but in the event of any case being brought to the Food Controller's notice of an increase in the weight of the paper being introduced action will be taken.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there was a Parlia- 702 mentary inquiry into the subject two or three years ago and the recommendation of the Committee was that the practice on the whole was in the public interest and should not be interfered with?
§ Mr. BILLINGIs there any limit?