HC Deb 03 May 1950 vol 474 cc1693-4
59. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now make any statement about the relaxation of present restrictions on the permitted charge for meals in restaurants.

Mr. Webb

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. J. Lewis) on 1st May.

Sir I. Fraser

To give some help to the smaller establishments by this new freedom, will the right hon. Gentleman see if he can increase the rations which they are allowed to have—[HoN. MEMBERS: " No."]—and, in particular, allow them to buy rations, such as eggs, that are not needed locally?

Mr. Webb

I cannot enter into any undertaking on that point.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

Can the Minister say whether the staff of his Department who were responsible for maintaining this restriction are now being retained?

Mr. Webb

That is another question.

Mr. Poole

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that up to the moment this new freedom seems to have achieved only the result of a much higher price for the same meal?