§ 48. Mr. Tomlinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of 1236 Food whether he is aware that butchers in the Petersfield and Alton districts have issued a notice that deliveries of meat will be charged for at the rate of 1d. in the 1s. or ½d. in the 6d.; and whether it is proposed to take any action to prevent this method of evading the regulation fixing maximum prices?
§ Mr. BoothbyMy attention has been drawn to the notice in question. Under Article 4 of the Meat (Maximum Retail Prices) Order, 1940, butchers are precluded from making or demanding an unreasonable charge in connection with the sale of meat. A charge for delivery does not necessarily constitute an evasion of the Order in question. The reasonableness of the charge is a question of fact depending on the circumstances of the particular case. If any member of the public called upon to pay the charge, to which the hon. Member refers, considers it unreasonable, a complaint should be lodged with the Divisional Food Officer, Rotherfield Grange, Bath Road, Reading, who will investigate it and, if necessary, take action to require adherence to the provisions of the Order.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAre we to understand that the reasonableness or unreasonableness of the charge depends upon the temperament of the individual making the purchase? Is the hon. Gentleman's Department convinced that 8d. is a reasonable charge for delivery, for any distance?
§ Mr. BoothbyNo, it depends on the temperament of the Divisional Food Officer.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAre we to understand that our legislation is to be interpreted according to the temperament of officials?
§ Mr. BoothbyNo, Sir. But we must allow Divisional Food Officers to exercise reasonable discretion.