§ 37. Lieutenant Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the general manager of the King's Lynn Co-operative Society reported to the King's Lynn Food Control Committee that early in September 224 cases of oranges were received by a local wholesaler for distribution among about 400 retailers and that, although many retailers of fruit had less than 100 oranges to distribute, instructions were given to the wholesaler by the Port of London Orange Panel for 20 cases to be allocated to one branch of a chain 2029 store; whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the persons responsible for issuing instructions for such unfair distribution; and whether he is taking steps to see that the distribution of oranges is, in future, confined to established fruiterers?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)The statement referred to in the Question has been brought to my notice. The allocation of 20 cases to the chain store to which my hon. Friend presumably refers was made on the instructions of my Department, this being the quantity to which they were entitled on the basis of their pre-war sales. There is, therefore, no case for disciplinary action. Distribution is already confined to traders who regularly sold oranges before the war.
§ Major C. S. TaylorDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that oranges are being sold in certain places by this particular chain store at branches where they have no fruit or vegetable department?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIf my hon. and gallant Friend has a case in mind, perhaps ho will bring it to my notice, but I am only concerned here with actual allocation, and it is based on their pre-war sales.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenCan the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House how chain stores prove their sales on a pre-war basis?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI suppose in the same way as any other stores. They must show proof, and it is on that, that they get their allocation.