43. Miss Rathboneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made on 7th October by the counsel for a tradesman charged at Llanelly with supplying bacon to a customer without a coupon; that, if a tradesman had bacon not applied for by registered customers, he was required to destroy it, and that hundredweights of bacon were so destroyed in that town every week; and whether he will make clear what is the duty of a tradesman so situated with regard to bacon, or any perishable rationed commodity of which his registered supply exceeds his sale in a particular week?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the statement referred to, which was not supported by any evidence and is not in accordance with the facts. Retail traders are in a position to assess with considerable accuracy their requirements of rationed foods. If by any chance the retailer has a surplus of a perishable commodity, which cannot be held over the week-end, he can obtain authority from the Food Control Committee to dispose of it.
Miss RathboneWill considerable publicity be given to that reply, because it is clear that a good many tradesmen are under the impression that they are obliged to destroy their stuff?