§ 52. Captain Stricklandasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Committee is selling barbed wire at 21s. per roll of a quality usually on sale in traders' shops at 18s. 6d.; that intending purchasers applying for permits to buy are advised to purchase from the committee's stores to the detriment of traders; and whether such sales are made at a profit or otherwise.
Mr. HudsonOn investigation I find that some of the barbed wire referred to in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 12th October was sold by the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee at a profit and at prices in excess of the normal retail price. Farmers applying for permits to buy wire were in some cases advised to purchase from the committee's stock if that suited their convenience, but they could if they wished obtain permits to purchase from their own dealers, and in some instances such permits were in fact issued. As soon as these transactions came to the notice of my Department instructions were given that retail sales should cease.
§ 53. Captain Stricklandasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will issue instructions that all surplus stocks held by war agricultural committees shall be disposed of through the usual trade channels.
Mr. HudsonIt is not anticipated that any appreciable quantities of stocks of goods held by county war agricultural executive committees for use in the food production campaign will become surplus to requirements for some time. As and when stocks do become redundant they will be disposed of by my Department in accordance with the general principles and procedure set out in the White Paper on Government Surplus Stores (Cmd. 6539) published in July last.
§ Mr. ParkerSurely it is the job of war agricultural committees to do their best to serve the farmers under them by making supplies available as early as possible? They can do that after the war as well as during the war.