§ 28. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consult the recently formed Retail Trading Standards Association as to the possibility of improving the present marks which distinguish British from foreign food products in retail shops?
§ Mr. ELLIOTMy Department is already in touch with the association mentioned in the question, and I shall be happy to bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ 32. Colonel ROPNERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the possibility of permitting hotels which make a practice of supplying national mark and other British agricultural produce to exhibit a national mark or other suitable sign, in order to encourage the extended use by British hotels of British food products and the patronage of such hotels by the public?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI would gladly arrange for the display of the national mark, under suitable conditions, for the purpose indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend, and any proposals submitted by organisations representative of hotels and restaurants, or by individual proprietors, will be very sympathetically considered by the Ministry
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when an investigation was made several years ago less than 5 per cent. of British beef was used in the hotels of London? Does he not think it is necessary to hold another inquiry and to see whether that percentage has been increased?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is sufficient to say that we are perfectly willing to encourage anyone who is willing to do so.