HC Deb 01 July 1953 vol 517 cc375-7
8. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Dutch wireless programme from Hilversum includes every morning a short programme dealing with the price of vegetables; and if he will consider a similar service in this country.

Major Lloyd George

I understand that the Dutch broadcast daily information about supplies of fruit and vegetables, but that prices are not quoted. This is a matter for the B.B.C. who will no doubt take note of the hon. Lady's suggestion.

Miss Burton

Does not the right hon. and gallant. Gentleman feel able to recommend such a suggestion to the B.B.C? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] If hon. Members opposite are not interested, the housewives are. Is the Minister aware that when prices do go down in the wholesale market the benefit is not passed on to the shopper?

Major Lloyd George

There are many reasons for that, as the hon. Lady knows. She has put down a Question which appears later on the Order Paper.

9. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that bananas are in plentiful supply on the street barrows but short in the shops, and that this is due to the high prices paid by the owners of the barrows; and whether, as the prices charged to the public by the barrow boys far exceed the old controlled price, he will re-impose controls on this commodity.

Major Lloyd George

I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 22nd April.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that I have pursued this matter because small shopkeepers are saying it is quite impossible for them to compete in the price for selling bananas in view of the large amount of money paid on the side by the owners of barrows to the people selling the bananas in the first place?

Major Lloyd George

The hon. Lady will realise that the average price varies from Is. 4d. to 1s. 4½d. I would also point out that this is the time of the year when the supply available from the British Cameroons is very low. I would also point out that there are plenty of other attractive fruits on the barrows and in the shops.

Miss Burton

That is not the point. Is the Minister aware that I am not complaining about the amount of bananas available, but where they go? Does he not think that a system is wrong which allows prices of 2s. 6d. a 1b. on the barrows? I do not know where the right hon. and gallant Gentleman obtains his average price.

Major Lloyd George

Only an hour ago I saw good looking bananas at 1s. 6d.

Hon. Members

Where?

Mr. Willey

In view of the fact that quite recently the right hon. and gallant Gentleman undertook to tell me where I could buy these bananas, and he has failed to do so, I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Major Lloyd George

As a matter of fact the hon. Gentleman was not available, or I could have shown him some at 1s. 2d.

10. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many growers of lettuces are at the present time ploughing them back into the ground because market prices do not cover production and transport costs; and if, as prices to the consumer are not similarly reduced, he will now consider an inquiry into the distribution of fruit and vegetables.

Major Lloyd George

My information is that lettuces are now cheap and plentiful in the shops. The inevitability of wide fluctuations in the supply of lettuces is well known and does not, I think, justify any special inquiry.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that his stone-walling on this subject seems to improve? Is he not aware that growers are saying that the cost of transport and of picking will not make it worth while to send lettuces to the shops? Under those conditions, does he not think the matter should be inquired into?

Major Lloyd George

It is difficult to inquire into the effect of the seasons on crops. One of the results of this particularly favourable season was a very big crop of lettuces, but it is possible to get a lettuce in London at about 3d.; indeed, to my personal knowledge last week they were selling at Id. or l½d.

Mr. Baldwin

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are cooperative auction markets within 15 miles of Coventry and co-operative retail shops in Coventry? If they cannot get the lettuces to the consumers at a low rate, what good will an inquiry do?

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