§ 56. Mr. Gerald Williamsasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Carrots Order, 1949, provides a price incentive for growers to sell their carrots to canners, with the result that the public is being deprived of fresh carrots; and what steps he proposes to take by way of removal of price control or other means to divert larger quantities to the fresh vegetable market, having regard to the present general shortage of fresh vegetables.
§ Dr. SummerskillA farmer can get a higher price for his carrots from a canner than from a wholesaler, but he can get as much if he sells to a retailer and more if he sells direct to the public. However, the quantities used by canners at this time of year are relatively so small that I do not consider that there is any need to interfere with sales to them.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that it certainly is having this effect, and 2664 that I have had complaints from more than one quarter about it? Is it not very important to have more fresh vegetables, and cannot the right hon. Lady consider decreasing the difference in price?
§ Dr. Summerskill: Ithink the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed, and I should like to remind him that of the last crop, I think 37,000 tons of carrots were sold to the canners out of a total of 322,800 tons.