§ Sir W. RUTHERFORDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps have been taken to grant to the ordinary trader advantages corresponding to those given to the co-operative societies in respect of increase to the datum line for tea; and whether, as the Order fixes a minimum price for retailing tea, co-operative societies will be allowed to give any rebate or dividend to their customers in respect of tea purchased from them?
§ Mr. CLYNESUnder a new scheme of tea distribution, the arrangements for which are at present proceeding, all traders will receive supplies according to the requirements of their registered customers. Supplies are already so allocated in locally rationed areas. In other areas extra supplies are being distributed to all ordinary retailers pending the-introduction of the new scheme of distribution. In answer to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th May to the right hon. Member for West Islington.
§ Major HILLSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether large quantities of China tea are held by the big wholesale houses, and China tea is not placed on the market because it has paid 3s. or 4s. a lb. in duty and can now only be sold at 2s. 8d. a lb., duty paid; if he will state the reason for not allowing those who can afford a higher price to buy China tea at a price which gives an adequate return to the importer; and how the nation benefits by locking up apparently until the end of the War an article of consumption which is greatly desired by many persons?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe quantity of fine China tea held by wholesale houses is small. There is no China tea which has paid 3s. or 4s. a lb. in duty, but the price 1245W of even the commonest China tea reached a very high figure during the shortage last autumn. The Ministry of Food gave notice on the 5th November, 1917, that the maximum price would be reduced at the end of the year, and time was thus given for the disposal of stocks. It would not now be advisable to allow a price higher than 2s. 8d. a lb. for this tea, as this might lead to fraudulent selling of National Control tea at the higher price. Some China tea is now being purchased by the Ministry of Food, and will in due course be distributed in special packets.