51. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, with a view to assisting the asparagus growers throughout the country and to provide for the public, he will now consider amending the existing regulations under which it is not permissible to serve asparagus as a separate dish, in addition to the three courses.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)No, Sir, we do not want to reduce further the supplies in the shops.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware that home-grown asparagus is plentiful? Why continue to handicap the home producers and consumers by uncertainty about next year? Is it not really highly desirable that this malignant regulation should be abolished?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. There is ample demand for home-grown asparagus in the shops. It is quite short in the shops.