HC Deb 20 March 1940 vol 358 cc1985-6
61. Sir Frank Sanderson

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in some cases where retailers have surplus supplies of bacon on hand which have not been purchased by the customers registered with them, such retailers are being informed by their local food offices that they must take delivery of further bacon allotted to them, and that if there is no sale for it they must throw it away; and in view of this most undesirable waste of foodstuffs, will he consider increasing the bacon ration, or taking such other steps as may be necessary to dispose of available bacon supplies in the public interest?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am not aware of any cases such as those referred to by my hon. Friend. I shall be glad if he will furnish me with further particulars so that I may make inquiries. If there is any danger of stocks held by a retailer becoming unsuitable for human consumption, application may be made to the local food control committees for permission to sell such stocks off the ration in order to ensure the disposal of supplies without undesirable waste. Retailers, however, who find that their weekly supply of bacon exceeds the demands of their registered customers are expected to reduce their weekly indents on their wholesalers.

Sir F. Sanderson

Is my hon. Friend aware that my information was given to me direct by the retailers and may be taken as strictly accurate, and that it does not apply to one locality only, but to many parts of the country; and will he give the matter his serious consideration with a view to taking such steps as may be necessary to prevent a continuance of such reckless and wanton waste?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If my hon. Friend will give me details, I will make an investigation.

Mr. J. Morgan

Are we to understand from the answer that the bacon will be allocated to the shops on the basis of the demands of their registered customers, and not on the basis of the ration amounts for their registered customers?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It will be on the basis of their sales.

Mr. Morgan

Does not this mean that there will be a reduction in the amounts and that they may have insufficient if, for some reason or other, purchasing power goes up?