§ 13. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that small greengrocers have unsaleable produce sold to them as a result of wholesalers' sales not being subject to the Weights and Measures Act; and if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the recommendation of the Hodgson Committee on this matter.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe Weights and Measures Acts have no bearing on the quality of goods sold; they deal only with quantity. In reply to the last part of the Question, I am not yet able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation arising out of the Report of the Hodgson Committee.
§ Miss BurtonIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that this constant delay is causing great hardship to the small greengrocer? Is he aware, for example, that I have particulars of the case of an individual greengrocer from Coventry who, out of 12 lb. of tomatoes, found 5 lb. unsaleable and had to stand the loss? That could be dealt with under the Hodgson Committee Report. Is the President to delay still further?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI doubt whether the Hodgson Committee Report would touch that. It does not deal with questions of the quality of goods. So far as the introduction of legislation is concerned, all I can tell the hon. Lady is—not this Session.