§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether representations have been made to him on behalf of the retail traders of Boyle, county Roscommon, setting forth that the wholesale traders by whom they were formerly supplied now use their supplies for their own retail purposes, leaving the ordinary retailers without their due proportion; and whether authority will be given to Messrs. Guinness to supply the local retailers direct through their local agent?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. I understand that the hon. Member has received assurances from my Department to the effect that during the last six months both Messrs. Guinness and other firms in Ireland have succeeded in meeting reasonable claims for supplies on the part of local retailers.
§ Captain WRIGHTasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that the number of men engaged in the transport and distribution, wholesale and retail, of food has already been seriously depleted; and if he will, after consultation with the Food Production Department, the Railway Commissioners, the War Office, and the Ministry of Food, either by administrative action or by the introduction of the necessary provisions into the Military Service Bill, secure so far as possible that the increased supply of home grown and imported food is economically and expeditiously distributed to the consumer?
§ Mr. BECKThe Ministry of National Service is in close touch with the Ministry of Food and the Food Production Departments, and every consideration is given to the points raised by the hon. Member, so far as they concern the work of this Department.