HC Deb 02 December 1941 vol 376 c996
38. Mr. McKinlay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the practice of many wholesalers in trafficking in storekeepers warrants or orders, whereby food in wharves or stores is normally transferred, always at an increased price, from one wholesaler to another, although none of them handles the food, with the ultimate result that the consumer is obliged to pay the maximum possible price for the article; and will he take steps to stop those operations by prohibiting wholesalers from selling to other wholesalers at a profit?

Major Lloyd George

The practice referred to exists only to a limited extent, seeing that all the important articles of food are subject to maximum price control. The policy of my Department is to restrict the flow of food to the most economic channels from the point of production to the consumer, but it would not be practicable to prohibit all sales from one wholesaler to another.

Mr. McKinlay

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that 100 cases of casserole of rabbit changed hands between wholesalers several times, and that the price jumped from £231 to £275, although the stuff had never been moved?

Major Lloyd George

I have had no information about that, but with regard to the vast majority of food in this country to-day the price is controlled, and going through many hands would not alter the fact that no more than the maximum price could be charged.

Mr. McKinlay

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to prohibit sales between wholesaler and wholesaler at a profit?

Major Lloyd George

If my hon. Friend will look at my answer, he will see that that goes on only to a limited extent; it is not then illegal, because it is a practice in many parts of the country for large wholesalers to supply smaller wholesalers for the sake of economy of transport.