HC Deb 27 March 1946 vol 421 cc369-70
48. Mrs. Ayrton Gould

asked the Minister of Food how many licensed vendors of imported fruit there are in the borough of Westminster; what proportion of them are hawkers; and what is the allocation of citrus fruits to these hawkers.

Sir B. Smith

There are 207 licensed retailers of imported fruit in the borough of Westminster, and of these, 46 are hawkers. The hawkers' share of the citrus fruits distributed in that borough is one-eighth.

Mrs. Gould

May I ask the Minister how it is that, if there is a very small allocation to the hawkers, there are a dozen within a square mile of Covent Garden and Leicester Square who are able to fill their barrows and replenish them again and again when they get empty?

Sir B. Smith

All I can say is that, of oranges, the hawkers have received 21,440 lbs., of lemons, 4,020 lbs., grapefruit, 4,690 lbs—a total of 30,150 lbs.

Mr. Keeling

May I ask the Minister whether the description of the ancient city of Westminster, both in the Question and in the answer, as a borough is part of the new attack on the traditions of Westminster?

Sir B. Smith

I hasten to apologise.

Mr. Cobb

Would it not be more correct to describe Westminster as a rotten borough?

Mrs. Gould

Will the Minister say during what period, and for how long, were the allocations which he has mentioned?

Sir B. Smith

I cannot give them offhand, but I will let the hon. Lady know.