§ 62. Mr. Boothbyasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that a serious shortage of butter in retail shops, for example, in Edinburgh, recently coincided with a glut of supplies at certain centres for which the necessary release permits could not be obtained; and what is the explanation of this?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I am aware that, owing to the conditions under which shipping is now being operated, it may well occur that stocks of butter in storage at a particular port are more than sufficient to meet the allocations for retail shops in the immediate vicinity. My hon. Friend will, however, appreciate that such stocks form part of the supplies required for the nation as a whole and are not available for use solely in the area surrounding the port of arrival.
§ Mr. BoothbyIs there any reason for retaining some of these stocks at docks and railway centres until they go bad?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is another question, and if my hon. Friend has any information of that kind I hope that he will let me have it.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the Minister assure the House that there is a much more efficient and equitable distribution now than there was one or two weeks ago?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir.