HC Deb 22 May 1946 vol 423 cc331-2
56. Mrs. Jean Mann

asked the Minister of Food if the price of ice cream, in whatever form sold, will be controlled; and what steps are available to the public to prevent overcharging.

Sir B. Smith

The scheme for regulating the price of ice cream announced in August last year is still in operation. Traders should not charge more than 50 per cent. above their prewar price for a similar portion of ice cream, and they have been warned that a trader who persists in doing so, after a warning from the Ministry, may lose his allocation of sugar and fats. The public can greatly assist me in operating this scheme, both by refusing to pay unreasonable prices and by reporting particulars of any case where an unreasonable price is asked to the local food office.

Mrs. Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the increases imposed on the public are not 50 per cent. but 500 per cent. and that the public do not know to whom to report? Will he tell us here specifically to whom the public should report these overcharges?

Sir B. Smith

I thought I had stated that in my answer, when I said the local food office.

Mr. Erroll

Can the Minister say how the Order covers those traders who did not deal in ice cream before the war?

Sir B. Smith

There should be none.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that yesterday I bought a choc-ice and got no change out of a shilling?

Sir B. Smith

I am very sorry that my hon. Friend, being a good Scot, should be thus relieved of a shilling.