HC Deb 23 March 1971 vol 814 cc242-3
19. Mr. Kinsey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to combat the damaging effects which direct sales to large retail distributors are having on the wholesale marketing system for food products.

Mr. Prior

I have no reason to think that efficient wholesalers cannot compete successfully.

Mr. Kinsey

I share my right hon. Friend's opinion that competition is the housewife's champion—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—hon. Members should ask the "Co-op"—but is he not aware that the position of the small man is being adversely affected by higher prices now as against the bulk large-scale purchaser, and it is important to keep the small man in business since this is ultimately in the interest of the housewife's purse?

Mr. Prior

I agree with what my hon. Friend says. The cash-and-carry warehouses and voluntary symbol groups can play a part in helping the small independent grocer to obtain the advantages of the large multiple store.

Mr. Molloy

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that confectioners, greengrocers and grocers, ordinary shopkeepers, complain bitterly that they were taken for a ride by wholesalers over decimalisation and that they are still being filched and cheated because they have to face the angry housewife over increased charges imposed on them by wholesalers? Will he do something about that to help the ordinary shopkeeper?

Mr. Prior

The hon. Gentleman should already have heard, if he was here, his hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) say that he thought that decimalisation had gone satisfactorily.

Mr. Molloy

The Minister is answering me now, not my hon. Friend.

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