73. Lieut.-Colonel Sir William Allenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that large chain stores, with separate grocery and fruit shops, refuse to supply oranges to fruit shop customers unless they ate registered at their grocery shops; that such customers can then proceed to other fruit shops and receive an additional supply of oranges; and will he take such action as will secure a more equal distribution of oranges to the public?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)In the time available since my hon. and gallant Friend's Question was put down, I have not been able to make the inquiries necessary to enable me to reply. If he will give me particulars of cases such as he refers to, in the first part of his Question I will examine them at once. Oranges are not rationed, but they are reserved, in the first instance, for children under six years of age. After that retailers have been asked to give preference to other children, schools, etc. My Noble Friend sees no reason for altering these arrangements.