HC Deb 20 December 1944 vol 406 cc1774-5
52. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the difficulties now experienced by members of the Wolverhampton and District Retail Fruit and Vegetable Federation in the functioning of food control enforcements; and whether to prevent the delivery of short weight and unsaleable produce he will detail inspectors to supervise and check packages at the producing end, calling in local food officers and weights and measures inspectors to assist the wholesale enforcement, making it compulsory for all wholesalers to supply retailers with proper invoices without prior request, and securing the release of paper and other material to seal packages and so prevent pilferage.

Colonel Llewellin

I regret that I am not able to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestions, but if a retailer will give definite particulars of short weight supplies I will have immediate investigations made. Enforcement Inspectors including Weights and Measures Inspectors are already employed on such work.

Mr. Mander

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that sometimes as much as 19 lbs. of earth is found in 56 lbs. of carrots, and they still have to be sold at the controlled price? Will he take steps to remedy a situation of that kind?

Colonel Llewellin

As I say, when we get information from the retailer which enables us to prove a case, then a prosecution is instituted.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Could my right hon. and gallant Friend explain to the House why, when we import from abroad we can give guarantees to the retailer of weight or quantity in the case of apples, onions and such commodities, but we cannot give guarantees to the retailer in the case of home produced food or vegetables or other commodities?

Colonel Llewellin

There are difficulties here on the farms with man-power at the present moment. It is not altogether easy always to clean all the vegetables that come to market. The market gardeners and farmers are very pressed.

Mr. E. Walkden

Is has been happening for the last 25 years.

Major Mills

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is not only the intentional or accidental addition of earth to carrots and suchlike to which exception is taken, but the method of selling? Is he further aware that a cauliflower may leave the farm weighing some 6 lbs., but eventually, when sold over the counter to the purchaser, it probably weighs only a few ozs.?

Colonel Llewellin

There are different margins for the untrimmed and the trimmed cauliflower in the Order.