§ 52. Mr. Frankelasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the firm with whom the chairman of the Vegetable Board is connected have been supplying oranges on a large scale to relatives and other persons not engaged in distribution to the general public; and what action he proposes to take?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have made inquiries and have been furnished with a complete list of the firms and individuals to whom oranges were distributed recently 849 by George Monro, Ltd. Of the oranges supplies to the firm, over 99 per cent, were distributed to wholesalers and retailers. From the remainder, free gifts were made of a few oranges to employés of the firm, one case being divided among 80 individuals. Major Monro himself retained a dozen oranges. Small quantities were sent to about 40 other individuals. A circular letter has been sent to the chairmen of all port area committees pointing out that all oranges received by primary salesmen should be distributed in the normal course of trade and that none should be distributed to private individuals or as gifts.
§ Mr. FrankelIs the Minister aware that I have in my possession the railway order showing the sending out of many hundreds, and in some cases of thousands, to private individuals? One per cent. may not sound much in this House, but it runs into many thousands.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have made very careful investigation and I am told that, of the 1,230 cases which the firm in question had, not more than 13 were distributed in the manner suggested by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. FrankelWill the Minister be willing to receive information showing that more than 13 cases were sent out in that way?
§ Mr. FrankelI have that information.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have already stated that circulars have been sent out to the chairmen of the port area committees saying that all oranges received by primary salesmen should be distributed in the normal course of trade and none to individuals.
§ Sir Irving AlberyIs it not possible to find patriotic citizens to take on the chairmanship of boards such as these and to dissociate themselves entirely from the trade?