§ 55. Mr. John Dugdaleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt in the Midlands at the short supply of certain unrationed goods, in particular fish, fruit, vegetables and cakes, when compared with the supply available in London; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. MabaneI am aware that in certain areas in the Midlands dissatisfaction of the kind indicated by my hon. Friend has been expressed. I have examined the matter carefully and, with the exception of fish in the second half of 1941, I can find no evidence to afford solid ground for the complaints.
§ Mr. DugdaleWill the hon. Gentleman receive further information on the subject?
§ Mr. MabaneCertainly. I was in the Midlands myself last week, and I found that some housewives were under the impression that tomatoes and strawberries particularly were freely on sale in London. I was able to disabuse them, and I hope my hon. Friend will help me in that direction.
§ Sir J. MellorDo some of those commodities go direct to the Midlands market, or do they go first to the London market?
§ Mr. MabaneI should like to have notice of that Question. In regard to tomatoes I know that a special diversion was made to the Midlands, which is a deficiency area, only last week. At the present time, tomatoes are more freely available in the Midlands than they are in London.