§ 92. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food why his Department in a recent Press announcement maintain that, prior to the withdrawal of the manufacturing meat allocation, a 10 per cent. margin was allowed to butchers for cutting and manufacturing purposes, in view of the fact that the present list of retail prices was worked out so that there was no margin at all for cutting and that the manufacturing allowance which has been withdrawn was, in fact, only 5½ per cent.
§ Dr, SummerskillThe statement that butchers have no margin for cutting losses is incorrect. The wholesale/retail price structure was compiled to provide a butcher with £76 worth of meat at wholesale prices to supply £100 worth of rations at retail prices after allowing for all cutting and drying out losses. Butchers were, however, allocated £80 worth of meat until last August when, following an increase in wholesale prices, their allocations were adjusted to £82 worth of meat. In addition, until the recent cut they had a 5½ per cent. manufacturing allowance, making a total allocation of £87 10s. worth at wholesale prices or over 10 per cent. more than they needed for the ration.
§ Mr. WalkdenWhoever prepared that arithmetic for the hon. Lady, is she not aware that the net effect of this recent cut is that the average butcher in Britain is not able to supply his customers with half a pound of meat per ration book per week, and is she aware of the serious effect of that upon the dietary of the average family? Will she look at it again?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think the butchers in this country know full well that if they find themselves in difficulty they can apply to the deputy meat agent, who is an official of my Department, and he will give them a temporary allowance.