HC Deb 25 February 1952 vol 496 cc684-5
5. Miss Elaine Burton

asked the Minister of Food what price was paid for lettuces and other vegetables at the various stages of distribution, namely, grower, wholesaler, retailer and customer, as revealed by the inquiry now completed by his Department; and what percentage increase this was at each stage.

8. Mr. Frederick Willey

asked the Minister of Food whether he will publish the results of the inquiries made by his Department following through the prices of fruit and vegetables.

Major Lloyd George

This inquiry was strictly limited in scope and in particular did not extend to a costing of actual distributive operations. To publish particulars which could only give an incomplete picture of the position would, therefore, be misleading.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when I asked for this inquiry to be made in May last it was specifically with regard to lettuce and other vegetables? Will he therefore look at the matter again and see if this information can be made public?

Major Lloyd George

I understand that out of thousands of transactions, covering many varieties, which take place every day in this country this inquiry covered only 47 transactions and was, therefore, quite misleading.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the inquiry was pursuant to an undertaking I gave to the House and that it would be an advantage to all hon. and right hon. Members if they had the information, however incomplete it would be, because there is a real need of information on this subject?

Major Lloyd George

I do not agree. If only 47 transactions were inquired into I cannot see what possible value it would be.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this inquiry was asked for because all quarters of the House agreed that the cost of distribution was one of the major reasons for the high price of vegetables? Are the Government prepared to do anything to bring down the cost of distribution?

Major Lloyd George

Of course we are. Although the number of transactions investigated was very small, on the whole those inquired into refuted many of the assertions about the gap.

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