HC Deb 13 December 1944 vol 406 cc1234-5
74. Mr. Robertson

asked the Minister of Food in how many cases his Department's costing director, who visited Covent Garden market on 7th December, discovered serious short weights in packages containing vegetables; is he aware that retailers are compelled to accept these packages without protest or go without supplies in future; and what action he proposes to take.

Colonel Llewellin

The invoices concerned are not yet all available. I am, therefore, unable to say how far, if at all, the packages of vegetables investigated by the Director of Costings on 7th December fell short of the declared weights. With reference to the second half of my hon. Friend's Question, it is difficult for my Department to protect retailers if they will not provide information regarding breaches of Orders.

Mr. Robertson

While fully appreciating the difficulty of the situation, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend seriously to tackle this problem, because his Director found 14 lbs. of earth in a package which should have contained 56 lbs. of carrots, and that is not an isolated case—it is quite usual—and if retailers protest they are penalised? There is a short market and they would not be supplied.

Colonel Llewellin

It is quite true we weighed some packages, but we have not yet got the invoices to show my Director of Costings what weight the package was shown by the invoice as containing.

75. Mr. Higgs

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the injustice done to retailers of vegetables, namely, cauliflowers which are sold by the grower with foliage and have to be trimmed by the retailer in order to comply with a food order, thereby reducing the weight very considerably; and if he will take action to rectify this unfair position.

Colonel Llewellin

No, Sir. The Green Vegetables Maximum Prices Order provides allowances to the retailer designed to cover the average cost of trimming cauliflower to comply with the Order.

Mr. Higgs

Is the Minister aware that there is a difference of weight as between 6 ozs. and three-quarters of a lb. when the trimmings of some cauliflowers are removed? If I send him information will be look into this matter?

Colonel Llewellin

Prices are as follow: The secondary wholesaler sells at 26s. 3d. a cwt. if untrimmed, and 34s. 3d. if trimmed, and the retailer sells at 56s.

Mr. Higgs

That is not a reply to my Question. Will the Minister look into this matter further if I send him proof of the statement I have made?

Colonel Llewellin

I shall certainly be very glad to look into any facts which my hon. Friend puts before me. I was only pointing out that there is a margin of 29s. 9d. between the wholesaler's price and the retailer's price.