3. Mr. Leslie Haleasked the Minister of Food what are the conditions under which a retailer may change his allocation of fat from a wholesaler.
§ Mr. S. N. EvansChanges in the amount of fat which retailers may obtain from wholesalers are authorised by the local food office on the basis of the number of registered customers. Certain dates have been agreed with the trade associations on which retailers can change the wholesalers from whom they obtain fat, provided that eight weeks' notice is given to food offices. The next two such dates are 23rd April and 3rd December.
Mr. HaleIs the Minister aware that the Question deals with the allocation of fat and not the amount; that if we return the fat before cooking we are told it would be all right when cooked, that if we send it back after cooking we are told it has been spoilt in cooking, and that if we write to the Ministry they look into the files, and not into the fat? In the meantime, West Oldham is facing all the horrors of a chip-less spring.
§ Mr. EvansWithout accepting what my hon. Friend said, I would be very pleased to go into this with him in person.
§ Sir William DarlingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that present arrangements are unsatisfactory because a fish fryer or restaurateur cannot get more fat until he gets more customers, and he cannot get more customers until he gets more fat?