§ 41. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is with the authority of his Department that no wholesale butcher is to be allowed to trade except he belongs to an association; and whether he is aware that the East Midlands Meat Supply Association has been circularising all wholesale butchers in their district, pointing out that if they do not join their association they will be unable to carry on business, and asking for an entrance fee of £25 and an annual subscription of £5 5s?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo prohibition has been issued to prevent a wholesale butcher from trading unless he belongs to an association. The secretary of the East Midlands Meat Supply Association has circularised members of that association concerning the payment of their subscription, but he has not circularised any other person. In view of the fact that these associations control large quantities of meat belonging to the Government it is necessary to have some guarantee of financial stability.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in this circular there is the statement that it would be necessary to belong to the association in order to trade, and that that letter was sent by the association, and I can show it to him?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is necessary to belong to the association in order to trade through the association, and trade on the lines of the association has become essential in view of the conditions of rationing, not merely for the consumer individually, but for the rationing of the various persons in the trade.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes that mean that in order to trade you must belong to the association?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am assured that opportunities for trading still exist outside the association.