HC Deb 29 November 1948 vol 458 cc1622-3
37. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the Minister of Food is he will consider the revision of the allocation of points goods to retailers, with a view to relating such allocation to the fluctuations of registrations.

Mr. Strachey

Since 12th August last allocations of canned meat, canned fish, canned fruit and canned milk to retailers have been based on their registrations for certain rationed foods, namely, sugar, fats, bacon and cheese, as at 29th February, 1948. The hon. Member's suggestion will be considered in the course of our periodic reviews of methods of allocation.

Mr. Shepherd

Is the Minister able to say when he will be able to come to a decision on what he intends to do in this matter?

Mr. Strachey

As the hon. Member sees, we have tied a large number of points goods to registrations, but whether we should go further in that direction is a matter which we are now considering.

Major Legge-Bourke

When considering this matter, will the Minister bear in mind that in the rural areas, not merely at harvest time but also at sowing time and during the harvesting of sugar beet, there is a very great burden on retailers who need bigger allocations?

Mr. Strachey

That is a separate, but an important, point.