§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Food Controller whether his Department have issued a notice that the existing control of the tea trade will be continued until the 25th January, when a new system will be introduced for the succeeding six months; and whether the trade is to understand from this notice that the Government have decided that the importation and distribution of tea is to remain in the hands of the Food Controller until this period terminates, irrespective of whether the War is concluded?
§ Major ASTORThe Ministry of Food has issued a notice to the effect that the existing scheme of tea distribution covering the period to 28th December, 1918, will be continued for a further period of four weeks—that is, until 25th January, 1919; and that as from 26th January, 1919, certain modifications of the existing distribution arrangements which experience has shown to be desirable will be brought into operation. The altered distribution arrangements will have currency for a period of twenty-four weeks from 26th January, 1919, unless the situation becomes altered in the meantime. As concerns importation, existing contracts with the growers have currency till 31st May, 1919.