HC Deb 30 April 1947 vol 436 cc1950-1
61. Mr. Henry Strauss

asked the Minister of Food whether the unstoned dates mentioned in the notices of his Department are dates with stones in them or dates without them.

Mr. Strachey

Unstoned dates are dates which have not been stoned, dates which have not, that is to say, had their stones removed.

Mr. Strauss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the meaning which he gives to the term "unstoned" is the opposite to that given in all reputable dictionaries?

Mr. Nicholson

Read Haydn' s Dictionary of Dates.

Mrs. Jean Mann

May I ask my right hon. Friend why Scotland has been excluded from the advantages of this scheme?

Mr. Strachey

I do not quite understand my hon. Friend's point.

Mrs. Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a directive has been sent to all Scottish grocers informing them that owing to the difficulties of transport—and I think that is a jolly poor excuse—the scheme cannot apply to Scotland?

Mr. Speaker

The Question is whether dates are stoned or unstoned and has nothing to do with Scotland.

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