§ 55. Mr. Henry Usborneasked the Minister of Food whether food points are allowed to grocers to cover additional customer registrations; if not, how are grocers in Acocks Green to supply the returning ex-Service personnel and the increasing population.
§ Sir B. SmithRetailers are automatically given extra credit to meet the needs of an increasing resident population. This is effected, not on the basis of the number of registrations held by retailers, but by an alternative system which has worked satisfactorily for some time. Retailers in Acocks Green, or, for that matter, any other area, will benefit under this procedure when the grant of extra credit is warranted.
§ 56. Mr. Coldrickasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that some retailers are refusing to supply customers not registered with them with such points goods as canned meat, canned fish and condensed milk; and if he will consider a change in the basis of allocating these commodities to traders in order to secure that customers are able to obtain their share of such items from their registered retailers.
§ Sir B. SmithThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part "No, Sir." A change such as suggested by my hon. Friend would destroy much of the flexibility of the points scheme.