HC Deb 14 March 1938 vol 333 cc17-8
34. Mr. Parker

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that a fifth or less of the price paid by consumers in the United Kingdom for fruits grown in the British Empire goes to the growers, he will make arrangements for the Food Council to carry out an inquiry into the costs of the retail and wholesale distribution of fruits as suggested by the Imperial Economic Committee in 1926?

Captain Wallace

I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the observations made by the Food Council on the subject of fruit and vegetables in their annual report for 1936. I feel some doubt whether the results of such an inquiry as the hon. Member suggests would be likely to justify the labour and expense involved. I will, however, bring the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the Food Council.