§ 66. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that retail shopkeepers in the northern and other parts of London are charging 5s. per lb. for cooked ham; whether there is any justification for such a charge; and, if not, will steps be taken to ensure a reasonable price being charged to the consumer?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Food Controller has no information that retail shopkeepers in London arc charging 5s. per lb. for cooked ham; under Clause 16 of the Bacon, Ham, and Lard (Provisional Prices) Order, 1917, such a price would not be illegal if at the time of the sale the retailer was willing to sell uncooked ham at the price permitted by the Order, or if he did not prior to the date of the Order sell uncooked ham in the ordinary way of his trade. The question of further control of the price of cooked ham is under consideration.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs there anything to prevent a man from commandeering all the hams and cooking them?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe risk of that has not been lost sight of.