§ 20. Mr. Ronald Chamberlainasked the Minister of Food what further consideration has been given to the question 824 of payments by his Department to the Meat Importers National (Defence) Association, Limited, and the Wholesale Meat Supply Associations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.
§ Mr. ChamberlainDoes not my hon. Friend realise that millions of pounds of public money are being paid each year by way of compensation to these associations, and does she think it is justified?
§ Dr. SummerskillI am sure my hon. Friend must realise that we cannot change over at this stage until we have devised a long-term policy—and we are trying to do that now.
§ Mr. TolleyWill the Parliamentary Secretary say when she will be in a position to reply to this important question, because it is an important question?
§ Dr. SummerskillMay I tell my hon Friend that we are considering the matter?
§ Mr. BaldwinDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the Minister of Food is only too anxious to retain the machinery set up by the different organisations, and that they are only too willing to be allowed to do their own job.