HC Deb 29 March 1944 vol 398 cc1435-6
51. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that a London restaurant of modest amenity, of the name of which he has been informed, charges 30s. for a medium-sized carafe of inferior Algerian wine; that this restaurant is permitted by his Ministry to make a house-charge of 2s. 6d. a head in addition to the 5s. maximum charge for a meal, 1s. 3d. for a single small cup of coffee, etc.; and what steps he is taking to check this type of profiteering.

Colonel Llewellin

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I have no information other than that which he has sent me, but I understand that the wine served was not Algerian quota wine. The answer to the second part of the Question is that, while the house charge is regulated by my Department, the price of coffee served in catering establishments is not controlled. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 15th March to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Dr. H. Guest).

Mr. Driberg

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he has put us in a rather difficult position, because when general charges of racketeering in wines and spirits are made he says that he cannot deal with general charges, that he must have particulars; but if we give him the particulars he then appears to brush them aside with equanimity?

Colonel Llewellin

No. For all the Ministry imported Algerian wine we have, by arrangement, a set price. We cannot fix prices for every type of wine served in restaurants or other catering establishments.

Mr. Driberg

But is it not the case that the Government do fix prices for a large number of commodities which are not essential to life, and is it not the case that this is a large and growing racket?

Colonel Llewellin

Wine is a luxury, not an essential.

Mr. Reakes

In view of the confession of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that he has no first-hand information on this subject, will he make a tour in order to get first-hand information on what is a notorious ramp?

Colonel Llewellin

I am afraid I have not time to make a tour of all the restaurants in London.