§ 86. Mr. CAIRNSasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the great hardship inflicted upon retail co-operative socie ties and retail dealers generally owing to- the reduction of 4s. per sack on flour; is he aware that when flour was reduced in September dealers were protected; is he also aware that these same people suffered heavily when sugar was reduced by 2d. in the pound, owing to their stocks having been bought at a dearer rate; and will he take these matters into considera tion with a view to compensation?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn announcing the reduction of 4s. per sack in the wholesale price of flour, the Food Controller drew special attention to the stocks held by retailers, and pointed out that the public must allow a reasonable margin of time for these stocks to be worked off. I do not, therefore, see that retailers are involved in any special hardship. With regard to the reduction in the price of sugar, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply just given to the hon. Member for Stafford.