HC Deb 27 January 1942 vol 377 cc553-4
71. Mr. McKinlay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether trade representatives have been consulted in fixing the method of allocating canned fruit and peas; and who was responsible for altering the previous arrangement to make sugar registration the basis of the scheme?

Major Lloyd George

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, my Noble Friend decided that it would be inequitable to distribute canned fruit, canned peas, and canned tomatoes on the basis of sugar registrations as these canned goods are sold to a considerable extent by retailers other than grocers. There was, moreover, an additional advantage in that distribution on a datum basis was more speedy than distribution on the basis of sugar registrations.

Mr. McKinlay

Was the trade concerned consulted before the alteration was made?

Major Lloyd George

I am not aware of the alteration to which the hon. Member refers. He asks whether they were consulted, and the answer is "Yes."

Mr. McKinlay

I want an answer. There was an arrangement in consultation with the trade. That arrangement was departed from. Was the trade consulted before the departure was made?

Major Lloyd George

I am not aware that any departure from any arrangement was made. I have said that the trade was consulted.

72. Mr. McKinlay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether retailers were required to make a return of stocks of canned goods held by them before the initial allocation of such goods under the pink coupon scheme; and whether wholesalers act under any directions from the Ministry, or have they a free hand in any allocation made to a retailer?

Major Lloyd George

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, after the initial allocation wholesalers are only allowed to make sales against point vouchers. Apart from this they are not under any directions from the Ministry except in so far as they are not allowed by Statutory Order to make a condition of sale.

Mr. McKinlay

Does this restriction on wholesalers apply to canned goods manufactured in this country? Is it a fact that goods manufactured at home and canned at home are subject to restriction, and have wholesalers a free hand in distributing such goods?