§ 71. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that recent orders issued by his Department do not, in certain cases, provide a sufficient allowance for the cost of transport of fruit and vegetables from the south; and what action he proposes to take regarding future orders.
§ Mr. StracheyIn Orders on fresh fruit and vegetables, I shall continue to make such transport allowances as will enable fruit and vegetables in short supply to travel over the widest possible areas, provided only they can be sold at reasonable prices when they reach their destination.
§ Mr. SpenceWill the Minister have a full inquiry made into this matter, especially regarding the North East, in view of the prejudice that has been shown by the Department concerned in the past?
§ Mr. StracheyI have looked at this and could not admit that such prejudice has been shown. The areas where very long distance travel might have to be undertaken may be unfortunate in this matter, but fruit and vegetables are not all landed in the South or in London; they are landed in many ports.