§ 2. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food why he has fixed the price of Aberdeenshire grown carrots at 7s. 9d. per cwt., whilst the wholesale price of carrots in Aberdeen is 12s. 9d. per cwt.; and what average carriage and distribution cost per cwt. to the wholesaler he took into account before deciding on this figure.
§ Mr. StracheySeven shillings and nine-pence is the maximum grower's price throughout the United Kingdom but any Aberdeenshire grower who sells direct to a local retailer may charge up to the maximum wholesale price of 12s. 9d. per cwt. In fact, very few carrots are grown in Aberdeenshire—less than 25 acres—so that wholesalers have to draw supplies from England. We allow 3s. 3d. for this in the gross margin of 5s. per cwt.
§ Mr. SpenceArising out of that reply, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that one of the reasons very few carrots are grown in Aberdeenshire is the 752 low price to the grower? Is the Minister convinced that the margin of 5s. is necessary to the wholesaler?
§ Mr. StracheyIf the margin is thought excessive by the Aberdeenshire growers they can, of course, go to the retailers themselves and sell for the whole price. In any case, as the hon. Member probably knows, control comes to an end in April next.