§ 26. Mr. Royleasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to give compensation to retail butchers by way of issue bonus for the excessive fat included in present allocations of meat.
§ The Minister of Food (Major Lloyd George)Suitable fat allowances are made where necessary in respect of all types of meat issued for the ration.
§ Mr. RoyleIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that very many retail butchers are already into their forward allocations to a large amount, and believe that the fat allowance is quite insufficient? Is he also aware that, quite apart from the question of rationing or of price, it is most difficult for members of the meat trade to meet the ration at present because of the excessive amount of fat? Will he consider making a larger allowance, or, alternatively, giving a bonus?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere are two allowances. One is for cutting up, which comes to about 5 per cent., and the fat allowance is, in each case, judged on its merits by representatives of the Ministry, and the butchers' own representatives can be appealed to and give their opinion.
§ Mr. RoyleIs the Minister aware that the meat trade is very definitely of the opinion that the allowance which is now being made by the Ministry, with the present allocations, is quite insufficient?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI think the hon. Gentleman has in mind a particular case in one part of the country—the Manchester area. The fact is that the butchers' own representatives can be appealed to and express their opinion.