§ 6. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Food whether he will now re-introduce the points rationing scheme for tinned foodstuffs, the importation of which has been cut.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland) and Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Adams) on 21st November, 1951.
§ Mr. JegerBut I understand that reply was in the negative. Is not the Minister aware that in a number of shops today there are notices on tinned goods saying, "Buy now, you will need them later," and that that puts people with spare money in a very favourable position? Will he do something to implement the policy of fair shares of scarce commodities?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the trade has much more experience now in distributing scarce commodities than in the past. If I may say so—and I am glad of the chance to say so—the trade has done that with fairness when they have had the responsibility for doing so. Let us be fair about that. So far as the points rationing scheme is concerned, at the present time I see no justification for it, particularly in view of the extra staff involved, not only by my Department but by the trade itself.
§ Mr. SpeakerIs the hon. Member rising to a point of order?
§ Mr. SpeakerI thought the hon. Member had asked his supplementary question.
§ Mr. JegerI was going to ask the Minister again whether he will do anything to anticipate a shortage in these goods in the near future when the existing stocks get very low? I would agree with him that the trade has done nothing unfair in this distribution up to now.