§ 48. Mr. Priceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that the wholesale price of carrots obtained by the' growers is now £6 per ton and the retail price 1½d. per pound, equivalent to £14 per ton, leaving a margin for the dealer and merchant of £8 per ton; and whether he will reconsider these prices with a view to reducing the margin?
Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, Sir, I am aware of the margin between the ruling price to producers for carrots under the Government guarantee and the current retail price, but as in addition to the remuneration of the dealer and merchant who are referred to in my hon. Friend's Question, this margin has to cover all costs of and incidental to distribution from the growers railway station to the consumer I regard it as in no way excessive. I am unable to agree, therefore, that any reduction of the present margin is called for.
§ Mr. PriceIs it not far too large a margin, considering the possibility of economies under war-time conditions?