HC Deb 24 July 1946 vol 426 c28
48. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Food if he will make it illegal for shopkeepers to restrict to hours, other than the normal shopping hours, the sale of certain specified fruits of which there may be only spasmodic issues.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)

It would, I am sure, be wrong to attempt to regulate too closely the retailer's method of running his business.

Mr. Shepherd

Does this answer imply that the Ministry of Food approve of the system of restricting the sale of special fruit to certain special hours, and does the Minister realise that housewives with children or those who have to go out to work, find this practice most unsatisfactory?

Dr. Summerskill

We do not necessarily approve them, but we do not feel that this calls for another Order. We have to think carefully when making Orders, and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should try to force me to accept this proposal. If we make an Order it is necessary to enforce it, and if we accepted the proposal enforcement would be very difficult.