§ 25. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in central London for the past fortnight there have been supplies of bananas on street barrows but none in shops and that these bananas have carried no price labels; that supplies have been more scarce in the provinces since decontrol; and if he will reintroduce price control to secure a more equitable system of distribution.
Dr. HillPublic demand appears to attract many of London's bananas on to the street barrows. However, the hon. Member exaggerates the effect of this; and my information is that the provinces are still getting their fair share. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."
§ Miss BurtonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that for the past 10 days, at all events, I have seen no prices on barrows stocking bananas in the London streets? Does he agree that it is a good result of Tory policy that bananas are sold at prohibitive prices. [HON. MEMBERS: "What prices?"] Prohibitive prices. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Coventry at least we have not had a fair supply of bananas since they were decontrolled?
Dr. HillPrice control distorts distribution, particularly in so far as it means that bananas will be found in the areas near the ports and not in those distant from the ports. Secondly, the ratio of distribution as between London and the provinces is the same as it was. The hon. Lady may be interested to know that in the four months to the end of March the supplies of bananas in this country were in excess of those in the corresponding months of the years before the war.