§ 9. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether he will postpone the pro posed decontrol of the prices of butter until after the decontrol of margarine, in 1116 order to give an opportunity to study the effect of decontrol of one commodity before proceeding to others.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the Parliamentary Secretary pay closer regard to the views of the grocers about this, because they have made representations to him that this course should be followed? Is it a fact that the Ministry are to continue allocations to grocers in any case and that there will not be freedom; and if that is the case, would it not be proper also to continue price control?
Dr. HillThe Ministry will, of course, continue the issue of butter while its stocks last, but, on the general issue, the hon. Member should realise that arrangements are now being made for the private import of butter, and to continue price control would do what, I am sure, he would regard as undesirable—encourage a black market.