§ 57. Major Petherickasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why Algerian wine which originally cost the equivalent of about 3d. a bottle, and which was bought by His Majesty's Government, can only be bought by the public at the equivalent of 8s. a bottle?
§ Mr. MabaneThe retail price approved for Algerian wines includes duty at the rate of 2s. 10d. a bottle, and has been calculated by my Department to cover freight, insurance, landing charges, storage, bottling and the costs of wholesale and retail distribution on a basis comparable with that agreed for recent imports of Dominion wines. Notwithstanding the low price at which it is intended to be offered to the consumer, it will also, I hope, show a small but welcome profit to my Department.
§ Major PetherickWhat is the profit, in view of the fact that my hon. Friend has said that this wine was bought in Algeria at 1s. 6d. a gallon and that it is sold to the first intermediary at 8s. a gallon?
§ Mr. MabaneAbout 4 per cent.
§ Mr. MathersHow comes it that wine is a matter for the Ministry of Food? What is its food value?
§ Commander Locker-LampsonCan we have a sample of Algerian wine in the House of Commons?