§ 28. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that shopkeepers retain ration coupons, value 16 oz., for eight chocolate bars which weigh 13 oz.; and if he will take steps to remedy this.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)The actual weight of the bar is so adjusted, bearing in mind the controlled price, as to produce a price per bar requiring no coin smaller than ½d. Therefore some tolerance must be allowed in relating personal points value to weight.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Statutory Order of the Minister of Food now permits a short weight of 4 oz. in every lb. on bar chocolate but that 16 oz. coupons are demanded for 12 oz. of chocolate? Can he say how long his right hon. and gallant Friend will escape imprisonment for committing this fraud?
§ Dr. HillFor the reasons which I have given, tolerance is necessary. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] But it works both ways. For example, the 2 oz. coupon is demanded for sweetmeats weighing 2¼ oz., as well as for those weighing less than 2 oz.
§ Mrs. MannBut is it not the case that the short weight is 24 drams instead of 32 drams, that the statutory maximum is 34 drams and that no manufacturer is giving over-weight and all of them are giving under-weight?
§ Dr. HillNo, that is not the case. It is necessary, if the price control is to be observed and prices are not to involve farthings, that there should be odd weights. Therefore this tolerance, which works both ways, is necessary for the practical working of the scheme.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I have here various chocolates offered at net weight and that none of them is over-weight?