§ 29. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Food on what basis allocations of tinned tomatoes on points are made to various parts of the country; and when the last allocation was made to the Leicester district.
§ Mr. StracheyTinned tomatoes are now privately imported under licence and distribution is not controlled by my Department. The last release of Ministry-owned stocks was made in March and April to first-hand distributors. The Ministry has never allocated these foods below the first-hand stage, so I do not know how much went to Leicester.
§ Mr. JannerCan my right hon. Friend tell me whether any distinction is made in these allocations between the multiple shops which have branches and the small shopkeepers who have no branches? Is he aware that, in certain instances, the multiple shops are selling these tinned tomatoes, whereas the small shopkeepers cannot get them to sell?
§ Mr. StracheyNo allocations are now made. These goods are imported under private arrangements, and are distributed in the ordinary way.