§ 62. Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Food Controller if he is aware that 1s. 6d. per lb. is being charged for plums and 9d. per lb. is being charged for home grown apples in the Pontypool district; and whether he intends fixing prices for the autumn fruit in order to put an end to this profiteering?
Mr. ROBERTSThe maximum retail price of apples, whether home-grown or imported, has been fixed at 9d. per lb. In certain circumstances where home-grown apples could be sold below this figure, retailers should understand that 9d. per lb. is a maximum price and not a fixed price, and that the public should always have the benefit of cheap supplies. In some districts apples are now being sold at 4d. and 5d. per lb. In the ease of plums, the maximum price which may be paid by jam manufacturers has been fixed, but it is not at present proposed to fix other maximum prices for autumn fruits.
§ Mr. CLYNESCan my right hon. Friend state whether he has; now completed the Regulations of which he spoke in the House a few days ago, that were to be framed with a view to preventing profiteering?
Mr. ROBERTSNo. I think, perhaps, I was slightly misunderstood then. I presume my right hon. Friend is referring to a reply made by me to a supplementary question, and if my memory serves me rightly, I then stated that I realised that the strongest possible action ought to be taken and that I had. been making representations to that effect; it was not a reply that I was drafting fresh Regulations, but that I was making representations to the Home Office.
§ Captain W. BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government is putting a protective duty on saccharine and so raising the price of these things?
Mr. KENNEDY JONESCan he give us the names of the towns where apples are being sold at 4d. and 5d. a pound?