§ 65. Sir P. Hurdasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food in view of the necessity for further restriction of petrol and the continued tomato shortage, why tomatoes grown at Wiltshire centres are sent by road to Birmingham, while Wiltshire wholesalers regularly send their lorries to buy tomatoes in the London wholesale market and bring back Wiltshire with other tomatoes; and whether he will arrange for a quota of local-grown produce to be sold in the area where grown?
Major Lloyd GeorgeInquiries are being made into the marketing of tomatoes grown in Wiltshire, and it would be helpful if my hon. Friend would supply me with specific cases for investigation. The suggestion in the latter part of the Question, is, I am afraid, not practicable.
§ Sir P. HurdIs it not common knowledge in the Department who is the main wholesaler in tomatoes in Wiltshire? Cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, through his local officer, make these inquiries?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy hon. Friend has made certain definite statements, and I asked him to let me have particulars. He knows perfectly well that it is not possible to carry out the suggestion in his Question on the Paper.