§ 30. Mr. LOUGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, although tea has not been rationed, the Food Controller has permitted local food control committees in various parts of the United Kingdom, and especially in Scotland, to ration it at the rate of 1½ ozs. per head per week; whether the sale of tea at the rate of l½ ozs. per head per week, where the quantity purchased is 4½ ozs.,7½ozs., 10½ozs., or 13½ ozs., respectively, is a contravention of the Tea (Nett Weight) Order, 1917, which provides that where tea is sold by retail, whether contained in a package or not, in quantities over 2 ozs., it must be sold in ounces or pounds, or in multiples of ounces and pounds, and not otherwise; and, if so, what steps he will take to regulate the difference between fixed Orders of the Food Control Department and between it and the local committees?
§ Mr. CLYNESSales made under the authority of the Food Controller are excepted from the restrictions imposed by the Tea (Nett Weight) Order. The sale of the rationed amounts comprising odd ounces is effected in pursuance of rationing schemes under the authority of the Food Controller. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ M. LOUGHWill my hon. Friend say whether an Order has been issued by the Food Controller's Department abolishing the first Order, which he said would not be enforced in these cases? Does he not think a new Order should be issued in accordance with the present practice?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo, a new Order is not necessary for this purpose. Schemes receiving the sanction of the Food Controller are exempt from any other Orders of the Food Controller.