HC Deb 08 June 1961 vol 641 cc1371-2
16 and 17. Mr. Darling

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action he proposes to take to ensure that strawberries, raspberries and other soft fruits shall be sold by net weight, or in containers of specified minimum weights, during the 1961 season;

(2) what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the committee on weights and measures legislation with regard to home-grown hard fruits and vegetables, during the 1961 season.

Mr. Maudling

I do not consider that effective action on these fruits and vegetables is practicable under existing legislation. In any case, regulations under that legislation requiring fruits and vegetables to be prepacked only in specified weights could not apply until six months after the regulations had been approved by both Houses of Parliament and thus could not operate during the 1961 season

Mr. Darling

As it is now obvious that the Weights and Measures Bill will not be introduced into this House during the present Session, is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to look at the regulations again, because some of the fruit which I mentioned might be dealt with later? In any case, is it not very unfortunate that the consumers and the growers of these fruits in this country should suffer for another year from the malpractices which take place in this trade due entirely to the Government's incompetence and dilatoriness with the Weights and Measures Bill?

Mr. Maudling

Without accepting the hon. Member's premise, I would point out that we have no powers which would enable us to operate for the season now upon us.

Mr. Darling

Is it not a fact that these proposals were made ten years ago? What have the Government been doing during the last ten years?