§ 63. Mr. Lipsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a letter from the Cheltenham rural food committee asking for adjustments in the present system of food distribution so as to ensure that areas where the population has increased will automatically and immediately receive sufficient additional supplies of essential foodstuffs has been considered; and what steps he proposes to take to meet this request?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 9th January, and to his letter to me of 17th December last. As to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Holland-with-Boston (Mr. Butcher) on 20th February.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the Minister aware, that, in spite of his reply, inequitable distribution still continues; and can he tell the House whether it is partly due to the fact that wholesalers, in order to avoid freight charges, do not send goods to the Midlands?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI will consider the point raised by my hon. Friend. I have just given the first full information to manufacturers and retailers in connection with the redistribution of these commodities.