§ 59. Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of Food the reason for keeping in force an order prohibiting any addition to the price of oatmeal when sent by post, with the result that it is now impossible for customers to get supplies by post.
§ Sir B. SmithThe object of the Regulation which prohibits any addition in respect of carriage to the maximum retail price where the goods on retail sale are sent by post, rail or in any other way is to prevent evasion of the prescribed maximum price.
§ Mr. ToucheIs the Minister aware that the cost of postage exceeds the amount allowed for transport, and, therefore, it is impossible now for any miller to send it by post?
§ Sir B. SmithThe hon. Member is aware that this complaint emanates from one man, who is seeking by this method to secure the margin, not only of the miller, but also of the wholesaler and retailer.
§ Mr. GrimstonIs the Minister aware that I have been in correspondence with his Under-Secretary on this point, and that there are certain customers who are also upset by this arrangement?
§ Sir B. SmithWhile the article is in short supply, I cannot allow any extension of the present rule.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanNow, that England has discovered the excellence of this food, will the Minister do everything he can to make it available?
§ Sir B. SmithYes, Sir, subject to the supplies being available.
§ Sir R. RossAs the Minister can control oatmeal sent by post, why cannot he control turkeys in Great Britain, as he has already done, quite wrongly, in Northern Ireland?
§ Sir B. SmithIf only I had the assistance of Northern Ireland, I could do much better than I am doing