HC Deb 26 February 1951 vol 484 cc1726-7
12. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, by stopping the small retail butchers from purchasing imported tripe and allowing only the chain butchers to do so, he has caused much hardship to people living in rural districts; and if he will reconsider this decision.

Mr. Webb

During the existing meat situation I have arranged for the distribution of imported frozen tripes to be in the hands of Associated Tripedressers Ltd. This is a Government agency—[Laughter.] I am not surprised to find tripe fascinating the Opposition.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

We have been watching it for five and a half years.

Mr. Webb

This firm supplies cooked tripe to small retail and chain butchers alike. In addition, butchers in rural areas can get raw fresh tripes from their local slaughterhouses for processing and distribution to their customers and these, generally speaking, are adequately available. I am satisfied that these arrangements give the fairest possible distribution of the limited quantities of tripe available; but if the hon. Member has in mind any particular local cases of difficulty I shall be glad to discuss the matter with him.

Mr. Marshall

I am not satisfied. I am pleased to have the invitation of the Minister; but is he aware that I have received representations not only from Bodmin, but from Lostwithiel, St. Columb, Wadebridge, Liskeard and Saltash, that the position is that, previously, the multiple butchers were allowed to take 75 per cent. of home-produced tripe, as opposed to 25 per cent. for the family butchers, and that in neither case did they take any up because of the shortage of supply? Will he reconsider the matter of imported frozen tripe.

Mr. Speaker

That is far more than a supplementary question.

Mr. Webb

I have already explained to the hon. Gentleman the facts about this matter, and I am sure that, on reflection, he will regret what he has said.

Mr. Marshall

No.

Mr. Bossom

What estimate has the right hon. Gentleman made of the losses he will make by this arrangement?

Major Beamish

Is not the distribution of tripe definitely a Government monopoly?

Back to