HC Deb 29 October 1952 vol 505 cc1918-9
32. Mr. Keenan

asked the Minister of Food if he will now take steps to insist on retail butchers displaying on each piece of meat for sale the price per lb., so that purchasers in the shop may know the weight and the price of what they are buying.

Dr. Hill

While my right hon. and gallant Friend sympathises with the objectives which the hon. Member has in mind, there are substantial difficulties. The matter is still under consideration.

Mr. Keenan

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the provision laid down by the Ministry that prices should be displayed in the shop is observed only by displaying a typed list at the back of the shop and that no customer dare go in and have a look at that otherwise he or she is given an inferior quality of meat? Is he aware that, as a result very few customers know what they are paying for in the purchases which they make? Will the Minister do what we have hitherto failed to persuade his Department to do, namely, do something for the customers and not protect the butchers?

Dr. Hill

There is a good deal of sympathy in the Ministry of Food for this suggested change. The difficulties are considerable and we are examining them with a view to finding a way to resolve them.

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