§ 54. Mr. Douglasasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the extreme shortage of fruit reaching retailers; to what extent this is due to the diversion of supplies through other channels in which exorbitant prices are obtained; and what steps he is taking to deal with this matter.
§ Colonel LlewellinYes, Sir; because the sale of soft fruit has only just started. I have no evidence of sales through any but the normal trade channels, and when we have sufficient evidence that a sale contravenes our maximum price order a prosecution is instituted.
§ Mr. DouglasIf the Minister has no information what are his enforcement officers and the police doing?
§ Colonel LlewellinI regret to say that we have had quite a number of prosecutions, mainly of street fruit hawkers, for charging above the maximum prices.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenCan the Minister tell us why it is possible to buy British strawberries in expensive restaurants at 2s. 6d. per dish or portion, and it is not possible to buy them in ordinary shops, through the normal channels?
§ Colonel LlewellinI would not accept what the hon. Member says.
§ Mr. E. WalkdenStrawberries are only to be found in restaurants; they cannot be found in the ordinary markets.
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the Minister assure the House that his lack of information is not due to any reluctance on the part of the Government to enforce adequate control?
§ Colonel LlewellinI can certainly inform the hon. Member of that, and tell him that the policy I have pursued as Minister of Food is just the same to-day as it was a year ago.
§ Mr. GallacherCan we have a photograph of a strawberry placed in the Library?
§ Colonel LlewellinWe might accompany it by a raspberry, as well.