HC Deb 30 July 1941 vol 373 cc1404-5
67. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why Marcom, Limited, the margarine syndicate, have been entrusted with the sole control and distribution of the present and future stocks of lard; and whether he intends to hand over to this same concern the control and distribution of butter?

Major Lloyd George

Marcom, Limited, is an organisation brought into existence by the Ministry of Food since the outbreak of war and is the sole agent of the Ministry for the distribution of compound cooking fat. Shortly consumers will be able to obtain lard on the cooking fat coupon and from time to time adjustments, according to the supply position, will have to be made between the quantities of lard and of compound cooking fat distributed to retailers. It is essential that the distribution of lard should be handled by an organisation which is equipped to undertake distribution on a national scale and there is no body other than Marcom, Limited, which is so equipped. It is not intended to distribute butter through Marcom, Limited.

Mr. Walkden

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the name ''Marcom'' suggests the margarine companies, and is he not aware that he is affording an exclusive and preferential business advantage to an organisation which neither imported nor manufactured lard before the war?

Major Lloyd George

The people who did so will, of course, be treated in exactly the same way as other component firms for this purpose.

Mr. Walkden

Is it not the case that the people who were manufacturing and importing lard before the war have protested against this grotesque and unfair system?

Major Lloyd George

I am not aware of that. I believe they have an association, and I gather that association, which is representative of the importing and manufacturing people, will be treated in exactly the same way as other components.

Mr. Walkden

But not as part of the firm?

Major Lloyd George

There is no firm Marcom is a collection of firms, and we are going to add one more to the collection.