§ 12. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Food his reasons for transferring the distribution of canned corned meat from the meat trade which has been doing it during the period of shortage; and to what extent this change will involve an increase in price to the consumer.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNow that canned corned meat can be sold off the ration like other canned meats, it is appropriate that it should be distributed as it was before the war, through both butchers and grocers. This change involves a very small increase in price.
§ Mr. AwberyCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us who distributes, the Minister of Food, the butchers or the grocers? I am concerned that distribution should be cheap. If this is to mean increased cost why has the Minister transferred it from the people who have been carrying out distribution for the last 10 years?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIn the first place, they are the people who did it before, and when they were prevented from doing it, through circumstances out of their control, they were given a specific undertaking that as soon as possible it would be returned to them.