HC Deb 04 February 1952 vol 495 cc629-30
34. Miss Elaine Burton

asked the Minister of Food if he will now appoint a commission to inquire into the problem of distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Major Lloyd George

I doubt whether further inquiry by a commission would serve a useful purpose. Ample information is available through previous inquiries about the problems at issue.

Miss Burton

This gets worse and worse as time goes on. Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that consumers, shopkeepers and producers are anxious for such an inquiry? Who is holding it up? Is it the wholesalers or is it the present Government?

Major Lloyd George

I think the hon. Lady might have asked that question of my predecessors over the last few years. No one is holding it up. What I said in the answer is what I mean; there is ample information available.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware—although he was not in the House at the time—that he is on a very bad wicket in his statement, because I did pursue his predecessor in this matter several times? Would he not agree that dealing with the question of distribution is one of the ways of bringing down the cost of living? Will he please look into the question of the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables?

Major Lloyd George

I am well aware of the hon. Lady's pursuit of my predecessor but, having looked up his replies, I am not aware that she caught him at any time. He said in many answers, with which I agree, that this is a very big question. I am sure the hon. Lady will agree that it is a very big and a very important question. It will mean, among other things, very large capital expenditure which, at present, is not lightly contemplated.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this House has been told since 1946 that this was a matter requiring considerable time? Might I ask him where the expenditure would arise in appointing a commission to look into the matter and report to the House?

Major Lloyd George

I do not think a commission is necessary, because the information is available. The expenditure would arise in carrying out the scheme which, whatever it may be, is bound to be a big one.

Sir W. Smithers

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend also set up a committee with a view to instructing members of the Socialist Party that there is such a thing as the law of supply and demand which, ultimately, is the master of all planners of all parties?